The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) regulates Farm Credit System (System) institutions including banks, associations, and related entities, as well as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac). Capital Markets Specialists evaluate a broad array of financial activities and products at the most complex System institutions. Most activities involve serving as a member or leader of an examination team under the direction of a Sr Examiner or the Finance Specialty Program Manager.
Summary
The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) regulates Farm Credit System (System) institutions including banks, associations, and related entities, as well as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac). Capital Markets Specialists evaluate a broad array of financial activities and products at the most complex System institutions. Most activities involve serving as a member or leader of an examination team under the direction of a Sr Examiner or the Finance Specialty Program Manager.
As a Capital Markets Specialist, your duties will include:
Planning, leading and participating in examinations of System institution financial condition and performance (i.e., capital, earnings, liquidity), interest rate risk, loan pricing, funds transfer pricing, derivatives, hedging, fixed-income investments, securitization, and funding through debt capital markets. Such examinations include an assessment of risk, board policies, procedures, financial modeling and model risk management, management and internal control processes, operating practices, and compliance with laws and regulations.
Ensuring risks are appropriately identified, measured, monitored, and controlled. Making recommendations that are fully supported and ensuring System institutions take corrective action when weaknesses are identified.
Developing reports that summarize examination conclusions and recommendations and presenting them to System institution senior management.
Serving as a finance lead with responsibility for ongoing oversight and monitoring of the finance and capital markets activities of a large, complex Farm Credit System institution.
Serving as an advisor and trainer for other examiners on System institution finance and capital markets issues; developing examination guidance; developing informational letters to System institutions; analyzing systemic risks; and participating in task forces that develop policy and regulations related to capital markets and finance areas.
One year probationary period, unless previously served.
Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
Submission of a financial disclosure report may be required.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
Qualifications
Ideal candidates have experience in any of the following areas:
Analyzing financial institution exposure to interest rate risk, including experience analyzing the management and measurement of interest rate risk and sophisticated interest rate risk models,
Assessing financial institution capital adequacy under a Basel III regulatory capital regime, including experience evaluating capital planning and stress testing,
Evaluating financial institution liquidity risk, including experience analyzing funding strategies and contingency funding plans, and evaluating the adequacy of high-quality liquid assets as a secondary source of liquidity.
You may qualify at the VH-38 (GS-12 equivalent) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level, VH-37 (GS-11) band level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes managing, examining, or auditing a financial institution's finance and capital markets activities (e.g., capital, earnings, liquidity, sensitivity to interest rate risk, investments, securitizations, derivatives) and related risk management practices, and preparing written reports conveying the results of these activities. This experience may have been gained as a financial regulator, consultant, auditor, analyst, or as an employee at a financial institution.
You may qualify at the VH-39 (GS-13 equivalent) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-38 (GS-12) band level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes leading a team to manage, examine, monitor, or audit a financial institution's finance and capital markets activities and related risk management practices, and providing guidance and training to others on complex financial or capital markets related topics. This experience may have been gained as a financial regulator, consultant, auditor, analyst, or as an employee at a financial institution.
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, knowledge, and skills 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
Education may not be substituted for experience at the VH-38 or VH-39 band levels.
Additional information
Announcement closing date extended from 12/27/2024 to 1/3/2025.
Base Salary Range for the VH-38: $76,965 - $126,992
Base Salary Range for the VH-39: $88,055 - $145,290
Locality pay is added to base salary using on the following duty station locality rates: Bloomington, MN, 26.89%; Irving, TX, 26.87%; McLean, VA, 32.99%; Greenwood Village, CO, 29.55%; Sacramento, CA, 28.80%, and the Rest of the US 17.00%. Locality rates are subject to change.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
All FCA employees are subject to the conflict of interest laws and Standards of Ethical Conduct imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report.
FCA's supplemental ethics regulations restrict certain FCA employees concerning their direct or indirect interests in, or connections with, Farm Credit System institutions. These rules also require all employees to obtain approval for outside employment or business activities. Please contact the HR Division for additional information on these rules.
FCA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
This announcement may be used to fill similar vacancies.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, with some exceptions, prohibits the Farm Credit Administration from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, visit our website at (Careers at FCA | Farm Credit Administration) for information on filing a complaint.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Bank Financial and Capital Markets Operations
Influencing/Negotiating
Oral Communications
Project Management
Technical Credibility
Written Communications
This position requires an online assessment; the online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating and Selection procedures. Eligible candidates will be placed in one of three pre-defined quality categories, described below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.
Highly-Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position.
Well-Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the major aspects of the position.
Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position.
Under category rating procedures, veterans' preference points and the "rule of three" are not applied. The rights of eligible veterans are protected by placement on the list ahead of non-preference eligibles within each pre-defined quality category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (i.e., CPS and CP) are listed in the Highly-Qualified category except when the position is being filled is scientific or professional at the VH-35 (GS-09) grade level or higher.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
Resume. Highlighting relevant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this position. Your resume must include the following information (1) paid and non-paid work experience including your position title, start and end dates (month/year) of employment, average number of hours worked per week and salary (separated by position series and grade for each federal position, if applicable ; (2) indication of the knowledge, skills and education you have that are pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties you have performed as a regular part of your job with indications of the level of responsibility and complexity of work; (4) Names and contact information for your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
CTAP/ICTAP Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal).
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Worker's Compensation Separation. Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notices.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Office of Agency Services, Human Resources Division
1501 Farm Credit Drive
McLean, VA 22102
US
Next steps
The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit.
Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Your resume may be evaluated by a subject matter expert or may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview as part of the multiple hurdle assessment process.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume. Highlighting relevant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this position. Your resume must include the following information (1) paid and non-paid work experience including your position title, start and end dates (month/year) of employment, average number of hours worked per week and salary (separated by position series and grade for each federal position, if applicable ; (2) indication of the knowledge, skills and education you have that are pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties you have performed as a regular part of your job with indications of the level of responsibility and complexity of work; (4) Names and contact information for your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
CTAP/ICTAP Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal).
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Worker's Compensation Separation. Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notices.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Office of Agency Services, Human Resources Division
1501 Farm Credit Drive
McLean, VA 22102
US
Next steps
The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit.
Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Your resume may be evaluated by a subject matter expert or may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview as part of the multiple hurdle assessment process.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
