National Institute of Food and Agriculture Logo
Position Title
SOCIAL SCIENCE SPECIALIST
Agency
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Announcement Number
NIFA-M23-12010980-MSC Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 to Wednesday, July 26, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?  (limit characters)
4. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?  (limit characters)
5. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
6.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
7.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and: 

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,

• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,

• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
(limit characters)
8. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
9.
Are you:

• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position. (limit characters)
1. This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement for the Social Science 0101 series. Please select the description below that best describes your education experience. Your transcript(s) must support the response you selected. (limit characters)
2. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Make suggestions for the development of grant applications for research project associated with natural resources, bioenergy, and climate change programs.
(limit characters)
4. Suggest changes to regulations for research, education, or extension program regulations.
(limit characters)
5. Draft changes for evaluation process of research, education, or extension grant proposals covering natural resources, bioenergy, and climate change program areas based upon suggestions by other specialists.
(limit characters)
6. Conduct initial review of natural resources, bioenergy, and climate change research project applications using recent developments and research techniques used in behavioral or social science. (limit characters)
7. Advise grant applicants on the evaluation and award process for research, education, or extension grants.
(limit characters)
8. Coordinate program plans, schedules, milestones, or deadlines amongst multiple stakeholders.
(limit characters)
9. Plan release of required information to meet program priorities or timelines.
(limit characters)
10. Maintain a tracking system that includes items such as milestones, deadlines, budgets.
(limit characters)
11. Suggest changes to program priorities.
(limit characters)
12. Tracking and monitoring program effectiveness.
(limit characters)
13. I have ensured the accuracy or completeness of information transfer by the following methods: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
14. Develop written responses to inquiries on grant evaluation process for research, education, or extension program issues.
(limit characters)
15. Prepare written material to explain grant application, research proposal, or application review processes.
(limit characters)
16. Preparing documents that include graphs, charts, etc., to communicate a wide variety of program information.
(limit characters)
17. I have written the following kinds of publications covering technical or complex issues: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
18. Request specific information from individuals, recognizing cultural differences and sensitivities when communicating with a variety of stakeholders. (limit characters)
19. Collaborate with others to exchange program-related information and resolve problems. (limit characters)
20. Communicate with outside professionals to gain assistance or support with projects, opinion on research, or assistance with reviewing proposals.
(limit characters)
21. I have made formal presentations to the following settings or audiences: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
22. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)