- Position Title
- FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (TRAINEE)
- Agency
- Foreign Agricultural Service
- Announcement Number
- DE-12530582-24-FAS-IS Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, September 16, 2024 to Wednesday, October 16, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
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.
• 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.
3.
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.
• 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.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Would you accept a term appointment?
3.
Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity?
4.
Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position?
5.
Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
Assessment 1
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the lead U.S. agency tasked with promoting exports of U.S. agricultural products. The Department is focused on selecting well qualified candidates for the position of Foreign Agricultural Affairs Officer (Trainee), GS-0135. The position is designated as 'trainee' until the employee has completed all training requirements and begins their first overseas assignment. Employees are typically in Washington for one to three years prior to their first overseas assignment, depending on one's familiarity with the FAS mission and potential language training requirements of the assignment. Your responses to the items below will give us a better idea of your suitability for candidacy. Please choose the response that best describes your highest level of competency in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position, as you understand them. (Note: 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.
Your responses to the items below will give us a better idea of your suitability for candidacy. Please choose the response that best describes your highest level of competency in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position, as you understand them. (Note: 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.
Your responses to the items below will give us a better idea of your suitability for candidacy. Please choose the response that best describes your highest level of competency in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position, as you understand them. (Note: 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.
1.
Please choose the response that best describes your highest level of competency in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 level.
2.
Please choose the response that best describes your highest level of competency in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 level.
3.
Please choose the response that best describes your highest level of competency in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 level.
Answer all questions below choosing the answer that most closely represents your level of education and experience. All responses to the following questions MUST be supported by the information provided in your written application, i.e., resume and transcripts.
Your references will be checked, and you may be asked to provide further evidence or documentation of what you included in your application.
Please note that the assessments of your knowledge, competencies, skills, and abilities we are asking you to make are not necessarily presented in order of increasing challenge or demand, for that reason, you must read through all options carefully before rating yourself.
Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4.
Please select the item below that best describes your experience with public speaking.
5.
Please indicate which of the following types of presentation experience you have (You may select more than one):
Expresses facts and ideas in writing in a succinct and organized manner.
6.
Please select the one item below that best describes your writing and editing skills:
7.
Please indicate which of the following types of written documents you have experience preparing (You may select more than one):
Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgements.
8.
Please select the response below that best describes your level of experience regarding work-related decision-making and problem solving.
9.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience researching and identifying aspects of industry segments or international markets which enable your organization or its clients to penetrate those markets for commercial purposes, establish partnerships, or for the sale and distribution of your organization's products, goods and services.
10.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience compiling, reviewing, and analyzing economic data:
11.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience participating in the analysis of agricultural commodity markets:
12.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience participating in the analysis of government policies and/or commercial practices affecting the marketing and importing interests of U.S. producers and exporters:
Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
13.
Please select the response that best describes your social skills as it relates to the following six statements:
-- I understand the difference between sympathy and empathy, and I am comfortable expressing my feelings and concern for and with others.
-- I have been told by others that I am a good listener, and I am able to listen first and respond after hearing what others are saying to me.
-- I am at ease when confronted with challenging interpersonal situations.
-- I have been asked to mediate or negotiate conflicts between colleagues, friends, and family.
-- When intense or difficult exchanges, I can express my feelings and opinions without being overly emotional or expressing anger.
-- I can restrain myself when faced with aggressive or hostile or menacing speakers or actors.
-- I understand the difference between sympathy and empathy, and I am comfortable expressing my feelings and concern for and with others.
-- I have been told by others that I am a good listener, and I am able to listen first and respond after hearing what others are saying to me.
-- I am at ease when confronted with challenging interpersonal situations.
-- I have been asked to mediate or negotiate conflicts between colleagues, friends, and family.
-- When intense or difficult exchanges, I can express my feelings and opinions without being overly emotional or expressing anger.
-- I can restrain myself when faced with aggressive or hostile or menacing speakers or actors.
14.
Please select the response that best describes your assessment of your previous teamwork experience:
15.
Please select the response that best describes your level of professionalism:
16.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience with work-related networking, i.e., maintaining and leveraging professional and social contacts to gain information, facilitate future working relationships and gain cooperation:
17.
Please select the statement which best describes your ability to voice dissent:
18.
Please select the response that best describes your negotiation skills and experience:
Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
19.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience responding to frequently changing situations, being adaptable to expedited demands, and "thinking on your feet" to meet or exceed client expectations.
20.
Please select the responses that best describe your level of experience identifying potential trade partners for U.S. businesses.
21.
Please select the responses that best identify your level of experience acting as a formal advocate on behalf of your organization to best advance the goals, positions, and interests of the organization by using actions such as communicating important information with key industry personnel, governments, officials, and/or industry associations to find areas of common ground, assert and defend positions, and coordinate efforts.
22.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience responding to client needs.
23.
Please select the response that best describes your level of experience providing alternative, creative, or unique responses to customer requirements to ensure the satisfaction of clients and their success.
Please respond to the following assessment questions. These responses must be supported by your resume.
Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
24.
Please select the item below that best describes your level of work-related cross-cultural communication and experience.
Please respond to the following assessment questions. These responses must be supported by your resume.
Inspires, motivates and guides others toward goal accomplishment; coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations; models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors.
25.
Please select the response that best identifies your level of experience managing work projects by coordinating and leading efforts to achieve success, establishing, and tracking milestones, and managing resources and organizational relationships to best support the project.
26.
Please select the response that best identifies your level of experience organizing and structuring work for effective performance and goal attainment; setting and balancing priorities; formulating plans consistent with available human, financial, and physical resources; and modifying plans or adjusting priorities given changing goals or conditions.
WARNING! USAJOBS ONLINE positions close at midnight Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. After midnight ET, jobs that have closed will not be available for review or application.
REMINDER! 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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
27.
Yes, I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education (degrees, certifications, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided is subject to investigation. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false, fraudulent or inaccurate information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
No, I do not certify, and I understand that by responding no to this certification that I will not receive consideration for this position.
No, I do not certify, and I understand that by responding no to this certification that I will not receive consideration for this position.