Associate FCA Examiner

Farm Credit Administration • Sacramento, CA

9d

About The Position

The Associate FCA Examiner position is in the Farm Credit Administration’s (FCA) Office of Examination, Staff Development Division. The role is designed for recent graduates and includes analytical assignments, on-the-job training, and extensive formal training in evaluating financial institutions’ financial and lending operations, management, information technology, and compliance with federal regulations.

Examiners work in teams to analyze institution data and financial performance, assess credit risk, board governance, and management effectiveness, determine compliance with laws and regulations and sound business practices, and document findings with supporting facts. They prepare written reports, recommend corrective action, conduct interviews with institution personnel, and present examination findings to external parties. The position includes extensive use of electronic and computer databases and weekday travel of up to 50% to institutions, including remote locations.

The position involves a rigorous four- to five-year training program, including proficiency exams during the first two years and a Commissioning Test. The announcement lists VH-34 and VH-35 entry bands, with promotion potential to VH-39. Recent graduates may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a term or permanent competitive service position. Applicants must complete degree requirements by June 12, 2027, and be available to begin employment on or about June 27, 2027.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Must complete degree requirements by June 12, 2027, and be available for employment on or about June 27, 2027.
• Must be a qualifying recent graduate or an eligible student scheduled to receive a qualifying degree by spring 2027; qualifying graduates generally must have completed their degree within two years of application, with an extended period for qualifying veterans whose military service prevented timely application.
• Undergraduate or graduate major must be in an eligible field, including accounting, agribusiness, agricultural business or finance, agricultural economics, animal/dairy science, analytical finance, banking, business administration, commercial or banking law, economics, finance, marketing, mathematics, or a directly related field such as agricultural sciences, statistics, data analytics, management information systems, or public policy.
• To qualify at VH-34, must meet one of the stated education pathways: one year of graduate study plus an eligible undergraduate degree, or an eligible bachelor’s degree plus superior academic achievement.
• To qualify at VH-35, must meet one of the stated pathways: one year of specialized financial-institution examination or audit experience equivalent to VH-34, a related master’s or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level related graduate education, a related LL.B. or J.D., or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• Must submit transcripts or an acceptable course-and-grade listing with required education information.
• Must be registered for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license before employment because of frequent travel to remote locations.
• Must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
• Must serve a trial period.
• Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time during weekdays.
• Must complete the training program, including proficiency exams and a Commissioning Test.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree, or being in the process of obtaining one by June 2027, is encouraged for applicants seeking the VH-34 or VH-35 band.
• A Finance, Accounting, or Agricultural Business degree with at least six credit hours in Finance and Accounting and a GPA above 3.0 is described as an ideal candidate profile.

Responsibilities

• Gather, organize, and analyze institution data, including loan portfolio management, financial condition, policies, and procedures.
• Evaluate financial institutions’ financial and lending operations, management, information technology, and compliance with federal regulations.
• Determine whether institutions comply with laws, regulations, and sound business practices; prepare written reports and recommend corrective action.
• Conduct interviews with institution personnel to obtain relevant information.
• Monitor and analyze assigned institutions’ financial condition and performance to identify emerging risks and issues.
• Evaluate individual credit risk, board governance, and management effectiveness.
• Document analytical work with supporting facts and present examination findings and conclusions to external parties.
• Use electronic and computer databases extensively.
• Participate in on-the-job and formal classroom training in examination procedures, practices, and the Farm Credit System.

Benefits

• Selectees may be eligible for a $10,000 recruitment bonus.
• Locality pay is added to base salary at the applicable locality rate.
• Potential for promotion to the VH-39 band, equivalent to GS-13.
• Possible noncompetitive conversion from the Recent Graduate program to a term or permanent competitive-service position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level