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Lead Program Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Service
Western Regional Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Western Regional Office of the USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS), Supplemental Nutrition Division. The incumbent serves as a Lead Program Specialist for federal nutrition assistance programs. The Team Lead reports to the Branch Chief and/or Regional Director and assures that the work of the assigned team is carried out by performing a range of coordinating and supportive duties related to the administration of the work in the assigned area.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/18/2024 to 12/02/2024
Salary
$103,409 to - $167,336 per year

Pay will be set based on the salary table of the duty location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes - This position is eligible for remote work in the states within the Western Regional Office and its bordering states.
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
IMP-12612448-25-RA
Control number
819531900

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Duties

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  • Coordinates and assures that the work of the assigned team is carried out by performing a range of coordinating and supportive duties. Reports to the Branch Chief and/or Regional Director on the work plan, unit, and individual assignments.
  • Analyzes and provides technical assistance on all aspects of assigned program, to internal and external partners. Provides written and verbal interpretations of regulations, instructions, and policies relating to assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Plans, directs and participates in formal management evaluation reviews of State, local and/or Tribal operations; develops written reports of findings and recommendations; negotiates corrective action.
  • Evaluates documents submitted by state agencies and/or Tribal organizations for appropriateness, adherence of specific program rules, and general federal financial requirements and provides consultation to the assigned team in their reviews.
  • Coordinates regional training efforts, internally and externally, including development of schedules, agendas, and materials.
  • Trains team, state and local staff and/or Tribal organizations on program requirements through formal and informal presentations.

Requirements

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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/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in grade: Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level.).

Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). You must include an SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one) that supports meeting this requirement with your application package.

To qualify for the GS-13: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-12 level in the federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include the following types of tasks performed on a regular and recurring basis:

  • Organizing and planning assignments that oversee the administration of program work through other entities such as federal, state, and local partners;
  • Providing oversight and technical assistance to Federal, State or local agencies regarding Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs;
  • Interpreting regulations and policies to ensure compliance with program requirements;
  • Providing recommendations for program improvement and negotiating corrective action to bring program operations into compliance; and
  • Communicating program findings and recommendations orally and in writing.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education at this grade level.

Additional information

This position is eligible for remote work in the states within the Western Regional Office. States covered: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, or Arizona or a state immediately bordering the region (Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona).

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
USDA is offering a variety of strategic workplace flexibilities which allow us to recruit and retain the best talent that reflects the diversity of our country, improve employee morale, and make USDA an employer of choice. In support of this commitment, telework-eligible positions may be eligible to telework up to eight days a pay period, based upon the duties of specific positions. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by Departmental policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by one of the following: AFGE Local 2735, NTEU Chapter 226, 227, 237, 240, 255, 265 or 268.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

  • Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
  • Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on the job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
  • Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
  • Compliance: Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and OMB circulars.
  • Teaching Others: Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12612448

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