Program Specialist

Summary As the Program Specialist for the Deputy Administrator you will manage the day-to-day operations, ensuring the organization is responsive to the needs of the Deputy Administrator and other senior Agency and USDA policy makers. You will provide general guidance and feedback to program staff to ensure consistency with the policy and operational goals of the Deputy Administrator's office. Duties

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Assists in the establishment and development of policies, plans and objectives to support the Deputy Administrator' office.
• Reviews and evaluates a broad range of objectives, policies and procedures for a broad, goal-oriented approach to mission success.
• Serves as a conduit for communication to internal and external stakeholders and ensures proper and timely attention is devoted to high level, high priority, urgent, and/or controversial issues.
• Works closely across the Agency, the Department and with external stakeholders on the Deputy Administrator’s behalf.
• Provides recommendations to Agency policies and critical program operations that support Agency, Departmental, and Governmental missions.
• Fosters and develops cooperative relationships with Federal, State and local agencies. 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-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Coordinating and prioritizing key agency issues. Developing and communicating policy, advice, and recommendations to senior executives and other leaders. Collaborating with other government agencies to solve program management issues 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement.