Loan Assistant/Loan Specialist (AGRL)

Farm Service Agency•Bowling Green, KY

About The Position

This position is with the Farm Service Agency, Kentucky State Office, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Loan Assistant/Loan Specialist assists the Farm Loan Manager in administering farm loan programs in a USDA Service Center serving one or more counties. The position provides information and guidance to loan applicants and borrowers, evaluates applications and eligibility, supports loan decisions with local committees, and oversees loan servicing and financial controls. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and is subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry and a credit report. The role includes a one-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable.

Requirements

Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Pass satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Submit Confidential Financial Disclosure Report Form OGE-450 within 30 days of initial appointment and annually thereafter.
Be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance; selection is subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry and a credit report.
Meet the applicable GS-1165 education or experience qualifications by the announcement closing date.
For GS-5 qualification, have three years of progressively responsible general experience, including one year equivalent to at least GS-4; qualifying experience involves gathering and analyzing facts and figures and communicating conclusions clearly, or knowledge of financial analysis or insurance principles. Alternatively, qualify through a relevant bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience.
For GS-7 qualification, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 demonstrating basic knowledge of loan examination or servicing, financial-factor and credit-risk analysis for agricultural loans, and farm operations, land use and value, crops and livestock, and local agricultural prices and markets; alternatively, qualify through one year of relevant graduate education, superior academic achievement in a qualifying curriculum, or a combination of education and experience.
For GS-9 qualification, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 demonstrating competence in agricultural loans, credit principles and practices, independent examination of loan applications and supporting documents and credit reports, servicing small agricultural loans, and knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, crops and livestock, and local agricultural prices and markets; alternatively, qualify through a relevant master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a combination of education and experience.
Submit college transcripts if qualifying based on education. Foreign education must include acceptable equivalency verification and transcripts in English or with an English translation.

Responsibilities

Maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of Federal, State, and local agencies.
Maintain relationships with banks and lending institutions, commercial and educational institutions, and rural community groups.
Provide information about Agency Farm Loan Programs, FSA programs, and program eligibility requirements.
Advise applicants and borrowers on farm selection and expansion, land development and improvement, organization of farm and rural enterprises, and related matters.
Interview loan applicants.
Review loan applications and conduct preliminary inquiries to gather facts and assess applicant eligibility.
Provide financial counseling.
Work with local committees to determine loan eligibility and feasibility.
Provide continuing loan supervision and oversight of borrower accounts.
Review and recommend loan-related changes, including releases, subordinations, adjustments, and transfers.
Establish and administer financial controls for disbursement, distribution, and use of loan and non-loan funds, maintenance of security property and insurance, and other detailed accounts.