Farm Service Agency - County Executive Director in Training - Mount Vernon, Washington

County Executive Director in Training (CEDT)

To apply online visit: 

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/811431500

FSA develops new local leaders through a 1-year training program for County Executive Director in Training. As a CEDT you are guided through the training program by experienced County Executive Directors (CED). Emphasis is placed on acquiring an in-depth knowledge of FSA programs administered at the county level. You will see a combination of classroom-type training, hands-on experience, and formal management training to prepare you for the next step of your career in the managerial role as a county service center CED.  

CEDs are also known as the county service center managers. As a CED, you will provide direction to your Program Technicians and oversight for FSA commodity, conservation, and livestock programs for one or more counties. In addition to directing and managing FSA programs, a CED is also responsible for performing office, field, and outreach activities as needed to accomplish program objectives. Successful candidates for these positions possess leadership and supervisory skills and are willing to learn. 

FSA's diverse culture and benefits allow for a healthy balance between your career and home life. In addition to a generous salary, FSA offers a friendly and professional working environment with a diverse workforce, flexible hours and work schedules, and other family-friendly benefits such as: 

• Earned annual leave 

• Earned sick leave 

• Paid holidays 

• Health, Vision, Dental, & Life Insurance Benefits 

• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care 

• Pension Plan & Retirement Savings Account 

Annual Salary Range: $44,316 - $87,291 per year

This is a twelve-month training program that may require travel throughout the state of Washington. Depending upon agency needs, candidates will be expected to relocate within the state when the training program is complete.

Qualifications: 

Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date in the announcement, including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified below:

You may start at the CO-05 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• Successful completion of four years of education above high school, in an accredited business, secretarial, technical, junior college, college or university in any field in which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite, or bachelor's degree from such an accredited college or university: OR
• One year of general work experience in support of projects, programs, or assignments providing a essential knowledge of agricultural operations, agricultural management, governmental programs, or related office and customer service functions that indicate the ability to: analyze problems, gather relevant data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; resolve conflict; communicate effectively both orally and in writing: OR
• Combination of education and experience described above.

You may start at the CO-07 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• Successful completion of one full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university. OR
• Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree in any field of study from an accredited college or university with either:
  • grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale;
  • 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
  • class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
  • membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.

An applicant must submit an unofficial copy of their transcript at the initial phase of the application process demonstrating that they qualify based on superior academic achievement. If selected for the position, an official transcript must be provided from the college or university before the applicant entering on duty. OR

• One-year specialized experience equivalent to grade CO-5 or GS-5 level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methods of fact-finding, analysis, and problem-solving techniques as they apply to the analysis, evaluation, and application of agricultural program requirements. In addition, knowledge of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to assist in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural program operations to make recommendations for improvements. OR
• A combination of education and experience as described above.

At CO-09, applicants must meet one of the following criteria in order to qualify for this position:

• A Masters or equivalent graduate degree or two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university. OR
• One year specialized work experience equivalent to at least grade CO-7 or GS-7 in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of agricultural program policies and practices to independently examine applications, supporting documents, and program reports. In addition, experience applying analytical and evaluative techniques to assist in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural program operations to make recommendations for improvements. OR
• One year of any supervisory experience. OR
• A combination of education and experience as described above.

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit with your application package evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution was appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. Education standards. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process; however, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting the transcript. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.