Program Analyst - USDA Farm Service Agency Kanabec County, MN – Mora, MN

About This Job

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is an exciting and rewarding place to start, build and/or continue your career. Be part of our team and support the well-being of American agriculture and the American public.

FSA's diverse culture and benefits allow for a healthy balance between your career and home life. In addition to a generous salary, FSA offers a friendly and professional working environment with a diverse workforce, flexible hours/work schedules, and other family-friendly benefits such as: paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement and supplemental savings plan, a wide array of health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and long-term care insurance.

This position is responsible for:

• Carrying out office activities and functions pertaining to one or more of the program areas administered in the county.
• Interpreting and explaining procedures, program regulations and forms to producers and other agency personnel.
• Utilizing various web-based software applications to maintain producer data and processing automated forms.
• Using a high degree of initiative and judgment in planning and carrying out assigned tasks and resolving problems encountered.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment
• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service Registered or Exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must be a high school graduate, or have a GED.
• Must be 18 years of age, or 17 years of age for high school graduates.
• You must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

Qualifications
Qualifications are in accordance with requirements in Handbook 27-PM.

Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date in the announcement, including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified below:

You may start at the CO-05 level if you have one of the following qualifications:
• Successful completion of four years of education above high school in an accredited business, secretarial or technical, junior college, college or university in any field in which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite or bachelor's degree from such an accredited college or university. OR
• At least one year of general work experience in support of projects, programs, or assignments providing a requisite knowledge of agricultural operations, agricultural management, governmental programs, or related office and customer service functions that indicate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; resolve conflict; communicate effectively both orally and in writing. OR
• A combination of education and experience as described above.

You may start at the CO-07 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• Successful completion of one full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university. OR

• Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree in any field of study from an accredited college or university with either:
o grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale;
o 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
o class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
o membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. OR

• One-year specialized experience equivalent to grade CO-5 or GS-5 level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methods of fact-finding, analysis, and problem-solving techniques as they apply to the analysis, evaluation, and application of agricultural program requirements. In addition, knowledge of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to assist in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural program operations to make recommendations for improvements. OR

• A combination of education and experience as described above.

You may start at the CO-09 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university. OR

• One-year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade CO-7 or GS-7 in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of agricultural program policies and practices to independently examine applications, supporting documents, and program reports. In addition, experience applying analytical and evaluative techniques to assist in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural program operations to make recommendations for improvements. OR

• A combination of education and experience as described above.

Education
College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit with your application package evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution was appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. Education standards. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process; however, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting the transcript. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information
Veterans' preference does not apply since this position is being advertised under Title 7 authorities.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the State. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at FSA. Once you have accepted a Tentative Job Offer (TJO), you will no longer be considered for additional vacancies on the certificate.

Location Consideration: Your application may be considered throughout the state of Minnesota.

This is a Title 7, Non-Federal, Non-Civil Service position.

This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Optional - This position may be eligible to telework up to four (4) days per biweekly pay period (2 day per week) upon supervisory approval. This position may also be eligible for flexible work schedules in accordance with Department and Agency directives.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. USAJOBS Help Center | Benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Contact Information:
Abby Penzenstadler
County Executive Director
Kanabec County FSA Office
USDA – Farm Service Agency
Phone: (320) 679-2080 ext. 2
Email: abby.penzenstadler@usda.gov

About USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) Minnesota
Headquarters
375 Jackson Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101, United States
Website
www.fsa.usda.gov
Division
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is an agency of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that serves all farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. The agency provides America’s farmers with a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. FSA’s long-standing tradition of conserving the nation’s natural resources continues through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The agency provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including special emphasis on beginning, minority and women farmers and ranchers.