Summary This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, Illinois State Office. Location will be determined after selection: The location will be in District 1 of the State of Illinois. The selectee provides oversight and guidance to County Committees and County Staff on commodity programs and Farm Loan Programs and Administrative operations with the district. USDA employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section. Duties Participates in formulating State program policies and plans; representing the interests of county committees, CEDs, FLMs, farmers, and ranchers in the district and provides input regarding district problems, conditions and requirements. Provides leadership and serves as a consultant to county committees, County Executive Directors (CEDs) and Farm Loan Managers (FLMs) in planning, managing, and carrying out program Position Description responsibilities. Represents the agency in contacts with farmers, agricultural agencies, civic description groups, business personnel, bankers, the media, etc. Assures loan and farm program operations are effectively administered in accordance with governing policy, regulations and procedures and that borrowers receive and adhere to adequate financial and agricultural guidance. 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 One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour work week. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience. 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: Experience in directing, planning, administering, and reviewing programs that demonstrate knowledge of the laws and regulations governing commodity and/or agricultural credit programs and of the particular application of national policies and objectives at the State level; understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; knowledge of current State and Federal agricultural trends; and ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of public and private organizations, farmers' associations, and others, and to interpret regulations, programs and policies affecting them. 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.