Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food and agriculture issues based on public policy, the best available science and effective management. 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.
Duties
Uses state-of-the-art computer hardware and software for satellite remote sensing imagery analysis and geographic information system operations, analyzes satellite data in assessing crop conditions in foreign and/or domestic areas.
Plans and carries out projects for collecting detailed agronomic and economic data on world production of assigned commodities; utilizes agronomic models and guidelines for making crop forecasts.
Analyzes and appraises agronomic factors affecting crop yields and the effects of economic plans, policies, and programs of specific foreign governments that are designed to increase or control production of assigned commodities.
Certifies area and production estimates used by the Agency for simultaneous entry into USDA's Production Estimates database and the Production Supply and Distribution database.
Prepares complex analytical reports, special alert reports, and technical papers based on study findings for publication; prepares and presents briefings on analyses and assessments.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Written Exercise: If selected for an interview a Written Exercise will be scheduled immediately following the interview. Applicants who pass the Written Exercise may be invited to participate in a second interview. Completing a second interview does not guarantee an offer of employment. The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13081217