Job Listing: Loan Assistant (AGRL)GS-1165-5/7

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - Throughout Louisiana, LA

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FARM SERVICE AGENCY

PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS UNDER "HOW TO APPLY" BEFORE YOU BEGIN

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  All interested persons may apply.  You need not be a current or former Federal employee to apply.

NOTE: Applicants selected from this vacancy will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. After 3 years of service, employees will be eligible for conversion to career status.

Major Duties

This position is located in the Farm Loan Team (To Be Determined, Louisiana).
Farm Loan Training Program:   Farm Loan Officer's (FLO's) are required to successfully complete all of the requirements for the Farm Loan Training Program.  FLO's may be reassigned to another training office during their training program.  In addition, upon completion of training program, FLO's may be reassigned, at any time, to a different duty station if workload activity changes or vacancies occur.
 
This position assists the Farm Loan Manager in administering farm loan programs in a USDA Service Center serving one or more Counties.  Major responsibilities include making, servicing, and supervising loans and providing technical advice, guidance, and credit counseling to loan applicants and borrowers.  This position has delegated loan approval authority to approve loans within a specific limit.  The position requires knowledge of agency farm loan programs and eligibility requirements, the technicalities of farm financing and credit, financial management concepts and practices, farm operations, land use and value, production and marketing of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the serviced farming areas.

How to Apply

Please read all the instructions before you begin.   You must submit a Complete Application Package, which includes the following: 

Online Assessment Questionnaire
Online Resume
Other Required Documents if applicable  (i.e., college transcripts, Veteran documents, etc).

ONLINE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE:  Use Application Manager for convenience and quickest processing.  Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager.  Your Application Package status must be Complete by Tuesday, June 10, 2008

To begin, choose one of these two options:

Option 1.  If your resume is going to come from the USAJOBS Resume Builder, click the "Apply Online" button below.  Logon to USAJOBS Resume Builder and select the resume you wish to upload for this vacancy announcement.  Click "Apply to this Position Now" to attach your resume.  Your resume will only be attached to the Application Package you complete and submit immediately after you click on the Apply Online button, not to any other Application Packages you may already have created.  Once you have attached your resume, the system will take you to Application Manager to complete the Online Assessment Questionnaire and upload any other supporting documents that may be applicable.  If you do not have an account in Application Manager, you will need to establish an account to submit your Online Assessment Questionnaire.

Option 2.  If your resume is prepared outside of USAJOBS Resume Builder, click this link to begin the process: Online Questionnaire.  The system will automatically take you to Application Manager.  When you have completed the Online Assessment Questionnaire, proceed to "Upload Documents" to upload your resume or additional supporting documentation for this position:  1) Select the document type; 2) Click the "Browse" to locate a file and click "Open" to attach it; 3) Click "Upload" to upload documents for this job announcement.  When the message "Upload Successful" appears, repeat steps 1-3 to upload any other supporting documents.

Whether you have choosen Option 1 or 2, once you have completed the Online Assessment Questionnaire and uploaded your resume and any other supporting documents click "Next" to proceed to Submit My Answers.  Click "Submit My Answers".  Return to the "Main" screen to print your "Confirmation of your Submission to Application Manager powered by USA Staffing".  The Online Assessment Questionnaire must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.  If you have submitted all your application materials online you have completed the application process.

If you want to "Save" an INCOMPLETE  Assessment Questionnaire, you may return to Application Manager at any time using whichever one of the links you used to begin as described above, or go to http://ApplicationManager.org.

ONLINE RESUME:  Your resume must be submitted Online.  Please make sure your resume contains the basic information required in applying for a Federal job i.e., work experience applicable to this position (include dates [m/d/y] and the total number of hours worked per week for all employment; if the position had multiple duties include percentage of time spent on each duty.)  Include series and grade for all Federal employment.  If this information is not included, the experience cannot be credited.  For additional information on what is needed in your resume click here.  (Applying for a Federal Job OF-510.)

NOTE:  Applications are not screened for required forms before determining minimum qualifications.  It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received in the office by the close of business on or before the closing date of this announcement.  Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, etc.

Alternative Method for Submitting Your Application Materials: You are encouraged to scan and upload your application materials as described using Application Manager; however, if you are unable to do this, you may fax your assessment questionnaire, resume and/or other required documents directly into the electronic system using the official fax cover page. The information contained on the fax cover page must match the information you provided in your Assessment Questionnaire.  The Vacancy ID UK191360, your Name and SSN should be written accurately and neatly.  If the information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may not receive consideration for this position. The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.

If applying online, faxing or hand delivering application materials poses a hardship, please contact the servicing human resources office during core business hours (8:00am to 4:30 pm central time) prior to the closing date.  Requests for hardship will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Make requests in a timely manner to allow enough time to obtain documents and return the completed information to our office. 

This Agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities (i.e., alternative means of communication such as Braille, large print, audiotape, etc). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USDA Target Center at 202-720-2600, voice and TDD. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

In accordance with 39 U.S.C. Section 415, use of postage-paid government agency envelopes to file job applications or application materials is a violation of federal law and regulations. Applications submitted in postage-paid government envelopes will not be accepted. 

Required Documents:

OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:  In addition to your Assessment Questionnaire and Online Resume, other documents may be required (i.e., college transcripts, Veteran documents, etc). 

WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?

1. If this vacancy announcement has a basic education requirement, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts that list college courses, detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., BIO101, MATH 210, etc.). This information should include course title, school name/location, date completed, grade, and number of credits earned.  Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.  You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume.  An official college transcript may be required before you can report to duty.

2.  If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (at least "fully successful" or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.  CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well-qualified if achieving a rating of 80 or above excluding veteran's preference points.

3. If you are claiming Veteran Preference, submit evidence of eligibility, such as DD-214 (Member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or Standard Form 15, Application for 10-point veteran preference, and the proof requested on the form. 

4. If you are a current or former federal employees please provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career-conditional/career status, position title, series and grade.

Assessment Questionnaire

Social Security Number

Required.  Enter your Social Security Number in the space indicated.

Vacancy Identification Number

The Vacancy Identification Number is:  UK191360
This field does not appear on the online application.  You would only need to enter it if using an alternative application method.  See Item 2 under Alternative Methods for Completing FORM C.

 

1. Title of Job

Loan Assistant (AGRL)GS-1165-5/7

2. Biographic Data

All biographic information is required except for your telephone number and contact time.

3. E-Mail Address


4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade

Required.  Enter the lowest grade level you will accept, i.e.,05

0507
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

Required.  Enter your claim for Veterans' Preference.  To receive credit for veterans' preference, you must provide documentation (DD-214 or SF-15 and proof requested).

For items 15, 16, 17 and 18 enter date information in this format:  MM/DD/YYYY

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

Please enter your dates of active military service, unless you have claimed derived preference (i.e., widows, spouse, etc.)  Please use this format: (mm/dd/yyyy)

16. Availability Date

You may omit the availability date if you can begin work immediately.  Otherwise, you must provide the date that you will be available for employment.

17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

How did you hear about this vacancy announcement, please choose only one answer. 

1 Advertisement2 Career Fair3 College/University Career Center4 Local Job Service Center5 MANRRS6 Professional Association Conference7 USDA Agency Official8 www.usajobs.opm.gov9 Other Source

If applicable, please indicate the specific conference, career fiar, and/or other source.

20. Occupational Specialties

Required. 

001 Competitive
21. Geographic Availability

Required.  Enter at least one geographic availability code.  The location code(s) for this position is:

0350 Throughout Louisiana, LA
22. Transition Assistance Plan

If you are not a displaced federal employee leave Section 22 blank.

Note:  To receive consideration for CTAP or ICTAP, you must submit the necessary supporting documentation.  Refer to the vacancy announcement for additional information and instructions.

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia, in a decree approved in a lawsuit entitled Luevano v. Lachance, Civil Action no. 79-0271, has ordered that Federal Government agencies provide data on the race and national origin of applicants for certain Federal occupations. The position for which you are applying is in one of those occupations. The collection of this information is authorized for use by the Office of Personnel Management only for the purposes of complying with the requirements of the Luevano v. Lachance Decree. The data you supply will be used for statistical analysis pursuant to the requirements of the lawsuit, and will not be shared with employing agencies. You are requested to complete the following, however, submission of this information is voluntary. Your failure to do so will have no effect on the processing of your application for Federal employment.

The categories (items 1-6) below provide descriptions of race and national origins. Select the category with which you identify yourself. If you are of mixed race and/or national origin, select the category with which you most closely identify yourself. Please select only one by shading in the circle next to the number corresponding to the category.

PRIMARY GEOGRAPHIC ZONE

Select the Zone (items 7-15) which includes your first choice for location of employment. This designation is for statistical use only and will not affect your actual consideration for employment. Your geographic area of consideration will be determined by your entries in Section 21,GEOGRAPHIC AVAILABILITY. Please select only one and darken the appropriate circle next to the number corresponding to your selection.

01 American Indian or Alaskan Native - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America, and who maintains cultural identification through community recognition or tribal affiliation.02 Asian or Pacific Islander - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. For example, this area includes China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands, and Samoa.03 Black, not of Hispanic origin - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. This does not include persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish cultures or origins.04 Hispanic - A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish cultures or origins. This does not include persons of Portuguese culture or origin.05 White, not of Hispanic origin - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North America, or the Middle East. This does not include persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish cultures or origins.06 A person not included in another category.07 ATLANTA ZONE includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia08 CHICAGO ZONE includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin09 DALLAS ZONE includes Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming10 PHILADELPHIA ZONE includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont11 SAN FRANCISCO ZONE includes California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington12 ALASKA ZONE includes the State of Alaska13 CARIBBEAN ZONE includes Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands14 HAWAII ZONE includes the State of Hawaii and Pacific overseas area15 WASHINGTON, DC ZONE - Washington, DC metro area (Charles, Montgomery, and Prince George Counties in MD, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, King George, Stafford, and Loudoun Counties and Falls Church, Alexandria, and Fairfax cities in VA) and Atlantic overseas area (African, European, Middle Eastern, Central and South American countries)
25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

You are to choose one answer to each question from among the alternatives presented. Do not mark more than one answer for each question. Multiple answers will not be counted.

1. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes the highest level of experience and/or education you have that demonstrates your ability to perform GS-5, Loan Assistant (Agricultural) work. SELECT ONLY ONE LETTER. (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.)

A. I have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelors degree, OR possess a bachelors degree in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or another field related to the position such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock, ranch management or rural sociology.

B. I have completed one year of graduate education OR I possess a masters degree or higher graduate degree with a major field of study as listed in A above.

C. I have at least one full-time year (12 months) of specialized work experience that demonstrated basic knowledge of loan examining and/or servicing principles, procedures and techniques as they apply to investigation, analysis and evaluation of financial factors and credit risks in granting and servicing of agricultural loans. In addition, this experience demonstrates basic knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, production of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the farming area.

D. I have three years of general work experience that requires gathering and analyzing facts and figures, and presenting information or conclusions in clear oral and written language; OR that provides knowledge of the principles of financial analysis or insurance laws, such as contract, property, life casualty, or marine insurance.

E. I have less than four years of post-high school education in a field listed in A above, and less than the specialized experience, but I have a combination of the education and experience (i.e., 3 years of post-high school education and at least 3 months of specialized experience).

F. I have less than four years of post-high school education in a field listed A above, and less than the general experience, but I have a combination of the education and general experience (i.e., 1 year of post-high school education and at least 27 months of general experience).

G. My education and/or experience are not described in any of the responses above.

2. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes the highest level of experience and/or education you have that demonstrates your ability to perform GS-7, Loan Assistant (Agricultural) work. SELECT ONLY ONE LETTER.

A. I have Superior Academic Achievement (refer to the instructions for information on the provision) AND a bachelors degree in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or another field related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology.

B. I have completed one year of graduate education OR I possess a masters degree or higher graduate degree with a major field of study as listed in A above.

C. I have at least one full-time year (12 months) of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. This experience demonstrates basic knowledge of loan examining and/or servicing principles, procedures and techniques as they apply to investigation, analysis and evaluation of financial factors and credit risks in granting and servicing of agricultural loans. In addition, this experience demonstrates basic knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, production of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the farming area.

D. I have less than the full amount of graduate education and less than the amount of specialized experience, but I have a combination of graduate education and specialized experience.

E. My education and/or experience are not described in any of the responses above.

3. CUSTOMER SERVICE. This position requires working and communicating with clients and customers from the agricultural community to satisfy their expectations and answer their questions. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your CUSTOMER SERVICE ability.

A. I do not have experience providing customer service on a regular and recurring basis.

B. Regularly I assist customers with their questions and resolve the problems without referring the customer to another source.

C. On a regular and recurring basis, I receive and respond to customer inquiries, independently taking corrective action, and independently research information using resources such as computers, records, and case files to answer complex inquiries and resolve problems.

D. I gather and provide information to customers and answer general questions, referring problems to another source for corrective action.

4. DECISION MAKING. This position requires identifying goals and obstacles to achieving those goals, generates alternatives when needed, considers risks, and evaluates and chooses the best course of action. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your DECISION MAKING ability.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that involve decision making.

B. I routinely make determinations and draw conclusions on issues relevant to the organization and customers by identifying and comparing available alternatives and making decisions using available precedents and guidelines, for example, determining validity and completeness of documents or researching and gathering information and deciding which work method to improve first.

C. On a regular and recurring basis, I consider alternatives, gather all necessary information and compare and select an alternative and make sound and timely decisions when no precedents or guidelines are available, for example, revising procedures or methods to solve chronic workflow and productivity problems, or serving on a committee making recommendations that affect the organization. I make most decisions with supervisory review only at the final stage.

D. On a regular and recurring basis, I evaluate alternative courses of action and make sound and timely decisions about which is best. These decisions involve complex issues, and impact the work and outcome of the organization. I make most or all decisions without supervisory review.

E. I have made decisions based on established procedures that involve relatively small assignments that affect the immediate work group or a small number of customers, such as determining how an information request can best be handled.

5. INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS. This position requires interacting with a variety of individuals with agricultural backgrounds using various media in structured and unstructured situations. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your skill in INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that involve interpersonal relations.

B. I have limited experience working with others outside of my immediate work group to provide assistance, coordinate work activities, or request information.

C. I have experience interacting on a one-on-one basis with my supervisor, instructors, co-workers in my immediate work unit and with others outside of my immediate work group to provide assistance, coordinate work activities, request or exchange information, etc.

D. On a regular and recurring basis, I establish and maintain cooperative and constructive relationships with customers and with subordinates, peers, senior management in my organization or other stakeholders to accomplish my organization's mission. For example, I administer and explain policies that are unpopular with my audience, maintain an effective working relationship with representatives of legislative and regulatory bodies that oversee my organization's activities, chair organization-wide or corporate-wide employee groups, committees, or associations.

E. On a regular and recurring basis, I interact with persons of diverse backgrounds and across organizational levels in my organization to tactfully handle difficult or unpleasant situations. For example, I persuaded skeptics to try a new office procedure or system, calmed a customer who threatened to file a complaint, or restored a working relationship between angry co-workers

6. OFFICE AUTOMATION SKILLS. This position requires the use of automated systems and office automation software to accomplish work assignments. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your OFFICE AUTOMATION SKILLS.

A. I have no training or experience in using office automation hardware and software.

B. I have had training in the fundamentals of using a personal computer, but I do not use one on a regular, daily basis.

C. I use automated office equipment on a daily basis for data entry or retrieval.

D. I have had training on windows-based office automation software such as Word, Excel, or Access.

E. On a regular and recurring basis, I use windows-based office automation software such as Word for word processing, Excel for spreadsheets, Access for data base development, and Outlook for electronic mail.

7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS. This position requires the correct use of English grammar to organize and communicate ideas in words that are appropriate to listeners and situations. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your ORAL COMMUNICATIONS skills.

A. I have no experience and/or no post high school training in public speaking.

B. I have had post high school training in public speaking that included developing techniques for using language, diction, pitch, articulation, and body language appropriate for the audience and occasion.

C. I have done one or more of the following with favorable results: (1) made oral presentations in a professional venue to explain complex ideas or information or to defend a thesis or dissertation, (2) acted as a mediator or facilitator, (3) represented a team of peers for the purpose of presenting ideas or findings, eliciting feedback, resolving problems, etc.


D. On a regular basis, in a work environment, I receive questions or speak with others for the purpose of eliciting information, explaining actions I have taken, responding to requests for information, etc.

E. On a regular and recurring basis, I give presentations, briefings, or training courses on complex and controversial or sensitive legal or technical issues that require explanation of laws, regulations, practices, and precedents.

8. READING COMPREHENSION. This position requires interpreting written material to apply to work assignments. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your READING COMPREHENSION skills.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that involve reading comprehension

B. In a post high school literature course or other related courses, or in a work setting, I read material and interpret its application to a problem or assigned task.

C. On a regular and recurring basis, I read more complex documents to locate and extract key information, or to verify consistency or identify inconsistencies with current policy; read management reports or policies and provide detailed summaries for personnel at all levels in my agency or corporation; or review new statutes or regulations to interpret their intent and summarize their impact on the policies and mission of my organization.

D. On a regular and recurring basis, I review documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with prescribed procedures, regulations, and guidelines.

E. On a regular and recurring basis, I research administrative manuals, operating policies, or program handbooks to answer a variety of technical questions or to learn how to accomplish a task.

9. REASONING ABILITY. This position requires the identification of rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information, analyzes information, and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your REASONING ABILITY.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that involve reasoning ability.

B. I regularly perform duties that involve interpreting or analyzing simple agricultural related information to arrive at answers to problems by applying rules involving a few steps.

C. I regularly perform assignments that involve interpreting or analyzing moderately complex information to make inferences and that required applying rules involving a moderate number of steps.

D. I have experience or education that has involved analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing statements, financial data, farm records, farm business plans, and business operating strategies and arguments, as they relate to agriculture production and management to make recommendations for changes or improvements.

E. I have experience or education that has involved analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing statements, data, strategies, and arguments as well as making inferences and discerning assumptions, for example, examining procedures, and practices, and making recommendations for changes or improvements.

10. SELF MANAGEMENT. This position requires establishing well-defined and realistic personal goals, displaying a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner, working with minimal supervision, and demonstrating responsible behavior and motivation to achieve. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your skill at SELF MANAGEMENT.

A. I complete assignments as directed.

B. I set goals or objectives with the assistance and advice of my supervisor or instructor and I generally work on one project at a time.

C. On a regular and recurring basis, I have managed several large-scale, complex, and disparate assignments simultaneously. If asked, my supervisor would say that I am an employee who regularly (1) shows persistence in achieving goals and completing assignments autonomously, (2) initiates opportunities to develop new skills, (3) volunteers for new assignments, and (4) takes on new responsibilities and challenges on my own initiative.

D. My supervisor or instructor sets the overall priority and schedule for a project. I set the goals and priorities for tasks and assignments within those parameters, and my assignments are usually completed on time. I request assistance from my supervisor or instructor if I am unable to complete an assignment on time.

E. On a regular and recurring basis, I complete projects on time with minimal guidance from my supervisor. I am able to carry out several assignments simultaneously. If asked, my supervisor would say that I am an employee who willingly takes on new assignments and looks for ways to enhance my skills and improve my performance or knowledge.

11. TEAM BUILDING AND TEAM WORK. This position requires working with others to achieve goals, encouraging and facilitating cooperation, pride, and trust, and fostering commitment and team spirit. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your skill at TEAM BUILDING AND TEAM WORK.

A. I have limited or no experience working as part of a team or work group

B. I regularly work cooperatively with others to complete more complex projects or assignments with satisfactory results. I enjoy working with others or as part of a team.

C. On a regular and recurring basis, I work cooperatively with others to establish priorities and develop work plans. I contribute to group discussions, and information sharing.

D. I frequently serve as a team leader or acting supervisor, coordinate my group's work efforts, and monitor progress toward attaining team goals. I have often facilitated or led group discussions and information sharing, for example, coordinating assignments for project team members based on their project interests, strengths, and competing workloads.

E. I often play an active or lead role on work teams or within my work group, for example, building on the ideas of others to foster cooperation, identifying and emphasizing common goals to promote cooperation among team members from diverse backgrounds/organizations, or working cooperatively with others to identify and implement solutions to multi-faceted work problems.

12. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS. This position requires recognizing and using correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, communicating information in a succinct and organized manner, and producing written information (including technical material) that is appropriate for the intended audience. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS skills.

A. I have limited experience developing written communications.

B. I have had post high school training in developing writing skills and have written term papers, reports, etc. or, in a work or volunteer setting, I have routinely composed simple correspondence (transmittal letters, memoranda, form letters, etc.)

C. Knowledgeable sources would say my writing skills are excellent and my accomplishments in written communication are significant. I have completed one or more of the following: (1) routinely composed correspondence or other documents on complex, controversial or sensitive legal or technical issues that required explanation of laws, regulations, practices, or precedents; (2) written articles that have been published in professional, industry, or scientific journals or publications; (3) written laws, regulations
or precedents; (4) written legal documents such as pleadings or briefs.

D. On a regular and recurring basis, I draft original letters to others to obtain information, explain actions taken, and respond to requests for information. If asked, knowledgeable sources would say the format, organization, spelling, syntax, and grammar of my writing consistently reflects a professional product.

E. I have written one or more of the following with favorable results: (1) a thesis or dissertation; (2) a technical or policy paper for presentation at a professional seminar or conference; (3) a technical report or manual; (4) policy instructions.

13. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT. This position requires managing and resolving conflicts, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your CONFLICT MANAGEMENT ability.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that require managing and/or resolving conflict.

B. On occasion I have successfully dealt with a disruption to regular operations in a way that allowed for completion of the work or continuation of a noncritical service.

C. I have taken the lead in devising strategies to overcome major setbacks that successfully enabled others to complete projects on time or within budget that could have resulted in conflicts among groups or team members.

D. I have successfully done work that regularly involved using negotiation or persuasion to help others avoid trouble or conflict or make positive changes in their lives.

E. I play an active role in identifying the steps necessary to prevent potential situations that could result in unpleasant confrontations, while managing conflicts and disagreements in a positive manner.

14. MATHEMATICAL REASONING. This position requires gathering and analyzing financial information for the purpose of developing business plans. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your MATHEMATICAL REASONING ability.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that require mathematical reasoning.

B. I gather data to develop financial reports, charts, tables, and models.

C. I analyze collected data to identify anomalies.
D. I review and interpolate financial data to determine trends and anticipated outcomes.

E. I research, evaluate, and analyze a variety of financial data as a basis for business planning and making decisions.

15. LEGAL TERMINOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION. This position requires applying knowledge of laws, Government regulations, executive orders, and internal regulations related to the agriculture industry. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your ability to apply LEGAL TERMINOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION.

A. I have no experience applying legal terminology, laws, government regulations, executive orders, or internal regulations.
B. I have acquired and maintained a working knowledge of various laws, regulations, policies, standards or procedures to carry-out work assignments.

C. I apply basic legal principles and concepts to conduct research, interpret, analyze and apply legal regulations, and precedents to cover broadly written criteria.
D. I apply comprehensive legal principles and concepts to conduct research, interpret, analyze, and apply legal regulations, and precedents to cover broadly written criteria.

16. FLEXIBILITY. This position requires the ability to adapt behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Enter the response below that most accurately describes your ability to be FLEXIBLE.

A. I rarely or never perform duties that require the ability to be flexible.

B. I have handled multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritizing as needed.

C. I have adjusted quickly to significant changes affecting project work or deadlines.

D. I make immediate adjustments in situations where conditions change frequently, or availability is limited, unpredictable or sporadic.

E. I adjust work activities appropriately in situations affecting own assignments or work schedules.

Contact Information:
FARM SERVICE AGENCY

Phone: (816)926-6781

TDD: 800-735-2966

Email: exam1@kcc.usda.gov


Or write:
Farm Service Agency
Please do not send mail
Apply On-Line
Thank You, MO 00000

USA


What To Expect Next:

Once your online assessment questionnaire and resume has been received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  After a qualification review of your complete application package has been made, you will be notified as to the status of your application.  If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.  

You can track the progress of your application package in Application Manager,  http://ApplicationManager.org.  

After selection, applicants may be required to submit the official college transcript, OF-306 "Declaration for Federal Employment", original social security card, birth certificate, state driver's license or state issued identification card with photograph.  In addition, to be eligible for federal employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service Law.