| Subject: Farm Service
Agency job Importance: Low Farm Service Agency VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: TX060005 OPENING DATE: CLOSING DATE: * Applications must be received in the STO with an original signature by FAXed Applications will not be accepted. POSITION: County Operations Trainee, CO-1101 (Up to 3 positions available) GRADE & SALARY: CO-5 ($28,349) CO-7 ($35,116) CO-9 (42,955) - Entrance grade level will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected to fill the vacancy. LOCATION: Statewide (Location to be determined at a later date) AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All Sources DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: Incumbent of this position serves as a County Operations Trainee subject to assignments at any County Office. Receives 12 months of pract! ical managerial and program training applicable to County Offices, and acquires knowledge and experience in the following activities and operations of the FSA organization. 1. Policy, program and operations of the FSA organization. 2. Skills and ability to provide leadership, directions and coordination in carrying out assigned programs. 3. Capability and experience in meeting clients and speaking effectively before groups. 4. Development and experience in effective methods of communication with both staff members and clients. 5. Training and experience in supervision of subordinates. 6. Development of skills and techniques for motivating people effectively. 7. Ab! ility to participate in locally related community affairs and organizations. 8. Skill and experience in working with and getting along with staff members and program participants. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: All candidates must be U.S. citizens, high school graduates or equivalent, and be at least 18 years of age or 17 years of age for high school graduates and have knowledge of farming practices and customs. The following are minimum requirements for the possible grade levels of this position. CO-5 Qualifications: All candidates for COT, CO-5 shall meet 1 of the sets of qualifications listed below: 1. A 4-year degree. 2. Applicants shall have at least 1 year specialized experience equivalent to the grade 5 level or above. 3. Combination of education and experience described in 1 or 2 above. Substitution is based on 30 sem! ester hours or 45 quarter hours per year of academic study for 9 months of work experience. CO-7 Qualifications: All candidates for COT, CO-7 shall meet 1 of the sets of qualifications listed below: 1. A 4-year degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale. 2. Applicants shall have at least 1 year specialized experience equivalent to the grade 6 level or above. 3. Combination of education and experience described in 1 or 2 above. Substitution is based on 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours per year of academic study for 9 months of work experience CO-9 Qualifications: All candidates for COT, CO-9 shall meet 1 of the sets of qualifications listed below: 1. Master's or equiv! alent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher! level graduate education leading to such a degree. 2. Applicants shall have at least 1 year specialized experience equivalent to grade 8, or be equivalent to grade 9 or above. 3. Combination of education and experience described in 1 or 2 above. Substitution is based on 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours per year of academic study for 9 months of work experience KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA's): Eligible candidates will be screened on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 1. Ability to communicate orally. 2. Ability to communicate in writing. 3. Ability to plan, work and make decisions. 4. Ability to review, evaluate and analyze. 5. Ability to interpret and apply written regulations. 6. Knowledge of farm operations and farm programs. NOTE: There are no special forms for these statements. They m! ay be submitted on plain paper with your name and the announcement number at the top. You should include specific tasks performed, the dates you performed them, and where you were working at the time. KSA statements may not be more than 2 single-spaced pages per KSA. Candidates who do not submit the supplemental statements will not be considered. BASIS OF RATING: All applicants will be considered on the basis of their education, experience, supervisory appraisal, training, awards, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's). PAY, BENEFITS AND WORK SCHEDULE: This is a permanent full-time non-federal appointment, with a not to exceed date of 24 months from enter on duty date. Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave, and will be covered by a federal retirement system. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: A background security investigation will be required for all new permanent hires! . Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful c! ompletion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. TRAINING PROGRAM Applicants selected as COT's must sign an agreement to accept assignment wherever located in the continental United States. Each COT shall satisfactorily complete a minimum 52-week training program. COT's who do not satisfactorily complete the required training shall be separated without prejudice. The District Director, State Executive Director, State Committee, State Training Coordinator, State Office Specialist, and previous CED trainers will evaluate the trainee's performance at the end of the 52-week period. Based on this review, the trainee will be continued as a CO-5, CO-7, CO-9, or be terminated. OTHER INFORMATION: Identification of promotion potential in this position does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of mana! gement to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher level duties. Before being hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application if you have not done this using an application form. HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates who meet the basic eligibility requirements may file for consideration by sending the following MANDATORY information to the address below: * FSA-675 (Application for FSA County Employment). You must include your SSN, your country of Citizenship, education, and work experience. * Supplemental KSA Statements responding to evaluation criteria * College Transcript (if applicable) Employment applications may be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or any commercial or private carrier (i.e., Federal E! xpress, United Parcel Service, etc.) Please use the following! address: Texas State FSA Office Attention: Lori Owens, Administrative Specialist 2405 Texas Avenue South College Station, Texas 77840 Phone: 979/680-5160 If you have any question regarding this announcement, contact Lori Owens at 979/680-5160. FSA-675 application forms may be obtained from any FSA County Office. The use of U.S. Government envelopes is prohibited. Applications received in such envelopes will not be considered. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will be considered without discrimination for any non-merit reason such as race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status or membership or non-membership in any employee organization. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. The decision on granting reas! onable accommodations will be on a case by case basis |