Summary
Foreign Service Trainees work and train in Washington, D.C. as civil service employees for an average of 18 to 36 months, followed by conversion to the Foreign Service/assignment to an overseas post. Those who demonstrate the needed competencies will be commissioned into the Foreign Service and can look forward to professional careers with increasing rank and responsibility, averaging 25 years. Additional information can be found here: https://www.fas.usda.gov/fas-foreign-service-careers
Duties
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:
Works effectively with other FAS program areas and other agencies.
FSO Trainees undergo comprehensive training while stationed in Washington, DC, where they participate in and complete all components of their training program under the guidance of their supervisors.
The duties described represent the expectations at the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments may entail a narrower scope, require less autonomy, and involve less complexity.
Administer market development and credit guarantee programs; develop and implement agricultural trade missions and trade shows; and cultivate productive working relationships with domestic agricultural industry groups.
Coordinate and devise a global agricultural commodity analysis strategy, furnishing timely dependable market insights on production, consumption, trade, stock, and price data.
Conduct analyses of market conditions, governmental policies, and commercial practices to furnish policy makers with actionable insights supporting USDA export programs, trade policies, and market access endeavors.
Draft various documents including correspondence, briefing materials, market profiles, and background information pertinent to agricultural trade.
Identify, monitor, and contribute to removal or mitigation of agricultural tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade, along with technical, sanitary, and phytosanitary barriers. Provide support for market access initiatives through policy analysis.
Participate in the monitoring of USDA trade promotion and food assistance programs.
Contribute to the formulation of strategies to administer these initiatives. Implement development activities aimed at advancing trade and food security objectives.
Develop long-term trade strategies to address evolving trade policies.
Education
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 FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in colleges or universities outside of the United States may be used to meet qualification requirements. To be eligible, applicants must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received at an accredited educational institution in the United States. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating. EDUCATION ACCREDITATION: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be creditable toward meeting the minimum qualification requirements. To verify your college/university accreditation, please visit: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
How you will be evaluated
Note: Applications of those applicants who pass the Assessment Center but are not selected during this selection cycle will be maintained for future selection consideration for a period of 2 years without the applicants being required to re-apply. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Oral Communication. Written Communication. Problem Solving. Interpersonal Skills. Customer Service Teamwork Leadership Skills Assessment Process This is a multiple hurdle assessment process. Applicants in the best qualified category will be invited to complete a Written Exam. Applicants should review the information below in its entirety and are responsible for monitoring their email for additional hurdle information and responding by the deadline listed in the notification. Written Exam: A panel of subject matter experts will review and evaluate your written exam. Applicants who pass the Written Exam will then be invited to participate in a one-day in-person Applicant Oral Assessment Forum to receive further consideration. The successful applicant will demonstrate the following dimensions that reflect the skills, abilities, and personal qualities deemed essential to the work of the Foreign Service: written communication skills, analytical skills, and interpersonal skills. If you do not pass the Written Exam, you will not be considered qualified. Applicants should review the information below in its entirety and are responsible for monitoring their email for additional hurdle information and responding by the deadline listed in the notification. Oral Assessment Forum: The Oral Assessment Forum will include a role-play exercise, a group exercise, and oral interview questions. The successful applicant will demonstrate the following dimensions that reflect the skills, abilities, and personal qualities deemed essential to the work of the Foreign Service: written and oral communication skills, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, cultural adaptability skills, and client services skills. Applicants invited to the oral assessment will be given 3 weeks notice, so that they can arrange their travel to the testing location. Applicants must pass each portion of the assessment process to be eligible for potential selection. If you do not pass the Oral Assessment Forum, you will not be considered qualified. Applicants should review the information below in its entirety and are responsible for monitoring their email for additional hurdle information and responding by the deadline listed in the notification. Those who pass the Written Exam and the Oral Assessment Forum will be referred to the selecting officials on a certificate of eligibles for further consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13038851