Agricultural Marketing Service Logo
Position Title
Agricultural Marketing Specialist (Decision Writer/Investigator)
Agency
Agricultural Marketing Service
Announcement Number
MP-12203333-24-FT Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, November 17, 2023 to Monday, November 27, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
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)
2. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee? (limit characters)
3. 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)
4. Are you a current USDA employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
5. Are you a USDA 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)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity? (limit characters)
3. Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position? (limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Core Questions
1. Has your work schedule been full-time, i.e., 35-40 hours per week, for every position listed on your resume or OF-612?

If yes, please type Yes.
If no, please type No and include the following in your response for all positions held: position title, employer, dates employed (MM/DD/YY), work schedule (i.e., Full-Time (FT), Part-Time (PT), etc.), and hours/week. Please list in order with current/most recent position first.
Failure to provide all requested information may prevent us from giving credit for experience.
(limit characters)
2. I understand for information on the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I (the applicant) must inquire through USAJOBS. No separate notification will be sent to me. To view the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I must go to the USAJOBS website and log into My Account. Once in My Account, I must enter the "Application Status" section of the website. (limit characters)
3. I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD 214, 50B, performance appraisal may be required for this position. I also understand that my application will not be considered if the required supporting documentation is not submitted or is not submitted in accordance with the time frames indicated in the announcement. (limit characters)
4. I understand that any correspondence necessary will be conducted via e-mail and sent to the e-mail address I provided in this application process. I must keep this e-mail address current. (limit characters)
5. I understand that if I am a current or former federal employee, I must submit an SF-50 showing my career/career-conditional status AND a performance appraisal dated within 18 months or as statement detailing the reason for not submitting the appraisal as part of the application package. (limit characters)
6. Do you possess a current driver's license from one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or territories or possessions of the United States?

If you respond yes to this question and you are interviewed, you must be prepared to present your driver's license as confirmation.
(limit characters)
7. If you are, or ever were, a federal civilian employee in a permanent position in the competitive service, what is the highest grade level you held, excluding temporary promotions? (Please include the pay plan, e.g. GS-7, WG-10, or NA for not applicable). (limit 250 characters)
8. If you are, or ever were, a federal civilian employee, please indicate the start date and end dates of the highest graded permanent positions you held, excluding temporary promotions (e.g. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, MM/YYYY to present, or NA for not applicable). (limit 250 characters)
Assessment 1
1. GS-12 - Choose one answer that best describes your experience. (limit characters)
2. GS-13 - Choose one answer that best describes your experience. (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. Applying laws, regulations, procedures and business practices pertaining to the marketing of agricultural commodities or products. (limit characters)
4. I have direct experience and/or training in the following agribusiness functions: (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
5. Quantitative analysis: The systematic analysis and interpretation of business data to describe and explain key business processes and/or practices. Quantitative analysis typically uses techniques such as surveys, sampling, analysis of large databases, analysis of business records, and financial statements. I have individually conducted quantitative research that included planning, data collection, and analysis. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Conducting inspections or reviews of business practices and records in order to determine compliance with terms and conditions of contracts, agreements, and other legal or regulatory requirements (limit characters)
7. Evaluating complaints or possible violations to determine their basis and sufficiency in the law or regulations. (limit characters)
8. Which of the following activities have you carried out in support of a program of agricultural regulatory oversight and compliance (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
9. Investigating and resolving fraudulent, discriminatory or other unlawful agricultural trade practices. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
10. I have been responsible for enforcing provisions of agricultural marketing agreements and/or orders, or comparable regulatory programs (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
11. Interpreting, drafting rulemaking, and application of laws, regulations, policies and procedures of agency programs for purposes of assuring that regulated entities are complying with agency requirements. (limit characters)
12. Testifying in court trials or administrative hearings regarding regulatory compliance findings. (limit characters)
13. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)