Summary The incumbent serves as Chief of Staff and, as such, plays a vital and critical role in advising the Deputy Administrator and other top Agency officials on key management and program issues and decision-making processes primarily as they relate to all aspects of the Specialty Crop Program (SCP). Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Monitors across-the-board program assignments related to the day-to-day management of Office of the Deputy Administrator and Program operations. Serves as SCP’s primary point of contact with USDA’s Office of Congressional Relations regarding legislative issues and congressional correspondence and requests for information. Reviews reports and correspondence of a legal nature prepared by SCP officials and specialists for approval or signature of the Deputy Administrator. Serves as primary point of contact with USDA’s Office of Communications. Creates and manages a communications plan and works closely with USDA's Office of Communications to implement. Participates with the Deputy Administrator and SCP management team to monitor and communicate critical program management decisions. Coordinates SCP planning efforts dealing with a variety of program issues and special initiatives. Prepares speeches and talking points for the Deputy Administrator. Facilitates topical or decision-point discussion groups. Ensures the preparation of a broad range of information resource documents critical to policy and decision-making processes at the Program level and beyond. Reviews, evaluates, and critiques contributions from various staffs to externally-required reports to ensure information correctly reflects Program and Agency policy perspectives and vision. 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-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: Communicating with internal and external stakeholders and tracking progress of high level, high priority, urgent, and/or controversial issues, problems, or situations. Reviewing and evaluating a broad range of program management issues and concerns and coordinating with senior management on potential solutions to identified issues. Coordinating across program efforts, insuring appropriate representation and transmission of plans and policies. Reviewing reports and correspondence of a legal nature for approval or signature of the Deputy Administrator to ensure completeness, consistency with current policy, policy implications and conformity with law, rules, and regulations. Note: 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. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP 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 applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. 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. 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.