Community Program Specialist

at Agriculture, Rural Development in Dover, Delaware, United States

Job Description

Summary This position is in the State Office of Dover, Delaware, USDA-Rural Development. While occupying this position, the incumbent will become sufficiently familiar with the programs of the organization and their relationship with other organizations to satisfactorily perform the full range of duties under the supervisory control described in the target position. This vacancy announcement is open to current Rural Development Employees only. Responsibilities Supports state field office community and economic development efforts to assess effectiveness in overall management and achieving outcomes; summarizes findings and offers suggestions for improvements based upon findings. Develops strategies to obtain necessary funding to support community and economic development efforts in targeted rural regions. Participates in planning, developing, implementing, and delivering training and outreach to various interest groups, such as community networks, state and community or economic development planners. Guide potential applicants on financial work performed in connection with assistance from federal grants, loans, cooperative agreements, or advances to community networks, municipalities tribes, local government units, public agencies. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period depending on your appointment type, unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Important! If your resume does not show complete information for each job entry, your application will be considered incomplete. Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. For GS-11 Grade Level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience planning actions and issues, as well as technical content of State, community or economic development, strategic plans, and initiatives and/or work-related documents. Experience assisting with the evaluation of the State’s, or community or economic development entity’s procedures, standards, guides, reports, forms, informational releases, and/or training materials designed to promote more efficient operations and overcome deficiencies. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related OR a combination of education as described and specialized experience. 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. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.