Summary These positions are located in the Farm Service Agency, Deputy Administrator for Field Operations, Duty locations will be determined at the time of selection. The selectee performs analyses of long and short-term program operations in state and county offices, including identifying and recommending improvements in both program and administrative operations. USDA employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section. Duties Leads and conducts a variety of analyses related to the study and evaluation of long and short-term program operations in state and county offices. Develops data requirements, analysis techniques and appropriate methodologies for gathering, evaluating and presenting information to the Deputy Administrator and other officials. Prepares recommendations and briefing papers detailing analytical findings, describing trends and deficiencies, and proposes solutions to policy and or operational issues. Provides recommendations and information on the formulation, modification and administration of policies and procedures pertaining to the administrative aspects of FSA field operations. Serves as liaison with state and county officials and program participants to explain and promote initiatives and to provide necessary training. Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-12 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Assisting in the planning or developing of a variety of operational and administrative initiatives affecting agency programs; (2) Participating in studies to detect actual or potential operational problems within in State and/or County offices; (3) Recommending solutions to improve efficiency and reliability of operations and to resolve unprecedented or unusual problems; (4) Preparing reports and recommendations critical to agency programs. For the GS-13 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) Planning or developing a variety of operational and administrative initiatives affecting agency programs; (2) Conducting studies to detect actual or potential operational problems within in State and/or County offices; (3) Developing solutions to improve efficiency and reliability of operations and to resolve unprecedented or unusual problems; (4) Prepare and/or present reports and recommendations critical to agency programs. 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. Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement.