Agricultural Program Specialist

Summary This position is in the Farm Service Agency, Mississippi State Office, located in Jackson, Mississippi. About the position: The selectee plans, administers and reviews all aspects of the farm program activities. Duties Help • The selectee administers and advises on Agricultural Programs. Manages and directs the administration of assigned programs and related activities throughout the State. • Provides administrative and technical supervision to a subordinate staff of support personnel. • Serves as the expert advisor to the State Executive Director (SED) and State Committee (STC) on all Statewide programs within the functional area. Requirements Help 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. If selected, you may be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are unable to reimburse for any fees incurred. • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. • 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 e-verify.gov. • Subject to one-year supervisory probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New FPAC supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period. • Required to submit Confidential Financial Disclosure Report Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Individual Occupational Requirements Education Undergraduate Education: Major study economics, agricultural economics, marketing, business administration, animal or poultry science/husbandry, agronomy, soil science, or related curricula dealing with the production and distribution of farm products. Graduate Education: Major study dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas. or Experience General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience related to the production and marketing of agricultural commodities. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated: • Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs and of the particular application of national policies and objectives at the State level; • Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; • Knowledge of current State and Federal agricultural trends; and • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of public and private organizations, farmers' associations, and others, and to interpret regulations, programs, and policies affecting them. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: • Agricultural extension work as a subject-matter specialist, county agent, or assistant or associate county agent. • Teacher of vocational agriculture. • District director, State program specialist, or county office employee performing duties in the operational phases of farm programs such as production adjustment, price support, and conservation. • Experience at the county, district, or State government levels in the operational phases of farm programs of the type carried out through such agencies as the Soil Conservation Service, Farmers Home Administration, or related programs. In addition to meeting the I ndividual Occupational Requirements , you must also possess experience listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-13 grade level: Applicants must have one full-time year (12 months) of specialized work experience in the agricultural field equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Experience that involved work in directing, developing, reviewing, administering and coordinating programs which demonstrate knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs and of the particular application of national policies and objectives at the State level; understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; knowledge of current State and Federal agricultural trends; and ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of public and private organizations, farmers' associations, and others, and to interpret regulations, programs and policies affecting them. 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. Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): 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 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. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. Telework: This position is not eligible for telework. Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Expand Hide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. Salary: $map.get("vacancy_salary_details"). Date posted: 12/22/2025 Apply tot his job