Summary The position is assigned to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Rulemaking Services Branch (RSB) located within the Market Development Division (MDD) of the Specialty Crops Program (SCP). Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Developing, reviewing, interpreting, and administering federal regulations affecting fruits, vegetables, oil, and nuts (specialty crops) through rulemaking. Writing federal regulation, supporting rulemaking clearance processes, and programming activities such as promulgatory or amendatory hearings and agriculture grower referenda. Informing USDA leadership through written memoranda, briefings, and weekly activity reporting that identify developments that affect specialty crop industries. Modifying existing or creating new information collections packages (aka systems of records) to help stakeholders maintain appropriate marketing data. Formulating nomination packages for the Agency appointment of committee members. Ensuring Rulemaking Services Branch regulations under development are compliant with the Administrative Procedures Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, and Freedom of Information Act. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience working on a farm or for an agricultural business (e.g. industrial food manufacturing or handling facility). Experience writing about agriculture or government topics using proper grammar, punctuation, to effectively communicate to more senior team members. Experience providing formal written summaries of events and meetings for subsequent dissemination to more senior team members. Experience participating in collaborative work environment to support more senior team members. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in English, Agriculture, Law or closely related field of study. OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which in addition to the GS-9 level experience, demonstrates: Experience developing and writing agricultural related documents of moderate complexity. Experience analyzing agriculture or government reports, regulation, and/or rules of low complexity. Experience communicating information in writing and verbally with members of industry-related individuals, representatives of other Programs, Boards or Committees, or other similar Federal Advisory Committees. Experience supporting rulemaking clearance activities such as data gathering, respond to questions from team members, other Program areas, Boards and Committees, stakeholders, and leadership officials about rulemaking activities. Experience analyzing and clarifying government forms, making corrective updates as requested by Boards and Committees. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in English, Agriculture, Law or closely related field of study. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience writing technical documents on agriculture of moderate complexity across different topic areas such as: administrative procedures, informal rulemakings, regulations, workplans, overviews, proposed and final rules. Experience contributing to special work assignments on various agricultural topics, working with qualitative and quantitative data. Experience communicating with representatives of Marketing Order Boards and Committees and representatives of other Programs on various agricultural topics such as candidate nominations and selection orders, assessment rates, stakeholder outreach activities, and/or proposed rulemaking recommendations. Experience representing the Division and Agency to industry, State, Federal and public organization, and exercises judgement and initiative in a professional manner, takes notes, and provides regulatory guidance on topics related to marketing orders. Experience in compliance with statutory requirements such as the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, Administrative Procedures Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, Code of Federal Regulations and Department regulations relating to marketing agreements and order. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which in addition to the GS-12 level experience, demonstrates: Experience writing, editing and reviewing documents of highly complex and/or sensitivity on various issues, hearing records, regulatory precures, statutory law, and/or topics related to federal marketing orders and/or other federal regulations. Experience writing federal regulations (including informal, formal, and/or formal-through-informal). Experience communicating with supervisors and program leadership about important proposed regulatory updates or changes, and the legal or trade implications to those changes, public comment, controversial topics, and/or grower referendum. Experience interpreting regulatory provisions or statutory text and solving problems that are outside the scope of standard policy guidelines or precedent Experience maintaining contact with staff and stakeholders during the administrative review processes, and/or respond to senior program officers inquiries to address challenges or concerns. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09/11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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. 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. Promotion Potential: 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. Worksite Information: 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. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.