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Summary The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S. food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. This position is in the Bargaining Unit. Responsibilities Incumbent provides technical expertise in one or more FAS areas of responsibility to include: market development, trade agreements, and negotiations; collection and analysis of statistics and market information and trade capacity building programs Initiates and develops agreements authorizing cost-reimbursable and cooperative activities with U.S. universities, U.S. agricultural industry associations, international organizations and other funding partners. Prepares and presents verbal and written reports apprising GP or senior FAS managers and other appropriate officials of the concerns discussed, agreements reached, and resulting actions taken or planned. Performs special assignments and carries out critical projects resulting in findings and recommendations for division-wide issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the at least the GS-11 level; or its non-federal equivalent that included experience: interprets administrative, management, operational, and policy goals and objectives and coordinates required action; experience of agricultural trade, international agreements, or sanitary and phytosanitary measures to programs/projects and experience performing program/project management (e.g., design, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and/or evaluation) and financial management for an international or agricultural capacity building program/project. . Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP 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/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This is a term appointment not to exceed two years (Appointment may be extended up to 2 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.