Summary This is a County Program Technician position, located in the Hopkins FSA County Office, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Major responsibilities for this position can be found below. Responsibilities Carrying out office activities and functions pertaining to one or more of the program areas administered in the county. Interpreting and explaining procedures, program regulations and forms to producers and other agency personnel. Utilizing various web-based software applications to maintain producer data and processing automated forms. Using a high degree of initiative and judgment in planning and carrying out assigned tasks and resolving problems encountered. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Qualifications are in accordance with requirements in Handbook 27-PM. * Experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, experience must have been equivalent to at least 1 year in the next lower grade level. 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-04 level if you have one of the following qualifications: Successful completion of two years of education above high school in an accredited business, secretarial or technical, junior college, college or university in any field in which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite may be substituted for experience. OR One year general experience related to office work, or equal background in the operations of a farm or ranch that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. 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 or technical, junior college, college or university in any field in which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite or Bachelors degree from such an accredited college or university. OR One year of experience equivalent to the CO-4 level applying office methods and procedures to provide clerical and limited technical support to farm or agricultural programs carried out by respective agencies or institutions. (e.g. USDA Agencies, State Departments, State or Local and Extension Services, Vocational Agriculture Schools.) *You may start at the CO-06 level if you have one of the following qualifications: One year of experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the CO-5 level applying office methods and procedures to provide clerical and limited technical support to farm or agricultural programs carried out by respective agencies or institutions. (e.g. USDA Agencies, State Departments, State or Local and Extension Services, Vocational Agriculture Schools.) *You may start at the CO-07 level if you have one of the following qualifications: One year experience equivalent to grade CO-6 or GS-6 applying office methods and procedures to provide clerical and limited technical support to independently perform a full range of farm program processes. (e.g. USDA Agencies, State Departments, State or Local and Extension Services, Vocational Agriculture Schools.) Experience that shows your ability to perform progressively more complex, responsible, or difficult duties: and that shows your ability to learn the specific work of this position. Education 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. Additional Information Veterans' preference does not apply since this position is being advertised under Title 7 authorities. Relocation expenses are not authorized. When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. This is a Title 7, Non-Federal, Non-Civil Service position. This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Optional - This position may be eligible to telework up to four (4) days per biweekly pay period (2 day per week) upon supervisory approval. This position may also be eligible for flexible work schedules in accordance with Department and Agency directives.