Crop Assessment Specialist

Foreign Agricultural Service • Beltsville, MD

8d

About The Position

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) connects U.S. agriculture to global markets, improves market access and competitiveness for U.S. food and agricultural products, develops new markets, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. The Crop Assessment Specialist analyzes satellite remote-sensing data to assess crop conditions in foreign and/or domestic areas and develops forecasts and assessments of assigned commodities. The position uses specialized computer hardware and software, agronomic models, and geographic information systems to support crop production estimates and agency analyses. The specialist prepares analytical reports and technical papers and presents findings in briefings. The incumbent must physically report to the duty station on a regular basis; telework and work-schedule flexibilities are available under USDA/FAS policies.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective appointment date and annually thereafter.
• Must physically report regularly to the duty station stated in the announcement.
• For GS-13: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, including substantial experience with remote-sensing techniques and automated data-processing technology, particularly image processing, GIS, and associated equipment.
• For GS-13: experience with world production of assigned commodities, including agronomy, soil science, crop modeling, crop management practices, geography, crop responses to weather stress, and local crop calendars.
• For GS-13: experience with non-survey production forecasting methods, including trend analysis, yield modeling, and remote-sensing-based techniques.
• For GS-13: experience conducting research and gathering documentation to compile comprehensive reports.
• Current federal employees applying for promotion must meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement at the next lower grade level.
• There is no education substitution for the GS-13 specialized experience requirement.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Use computer hardware and software for satellite remote-sensing imagery analysis and geographic information system operations.
• Analyze satellite data to assess crop conditions in foreign and/or domestic areas.
• Plan and conduct projects to collect detailed agronomic and economic data on world production of assigned commodities.
• Use agronomic models and guidelines to prepare crop forecasts.
• Analyze agronomic factors affecting crop yields and assess the effects of foreign government economic plans, policies, and programs intended to increase or control production of assigned commodities.
• Certify area and production estimates for simultaneous entry into USDA’s Production Supply and Distribution database.
• Prepare complex analytical reports, special alert reports, and technical papers based on study findings for publication.
• Prepare and present briefings on analyses and assessments.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Telework and work-schedule flexibilities, subject to USDA policy and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed