Loan Assistant/Specialist (Agricultural) (Recent Graduate)

Farm Service Agency•Vernon, TX

About The Position

This Recent Graduate position is with the Farm Service Agency in Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas. The role is developmental and includes on-the-job and classroom training in administering farm loan programs. Loan Assistants/Specialists assist the Farm Loan Manager in administering programs at a USDA Service Center serving one or more counties. Farm Loan Officers must successfully complete all requirements of the Farm Loan Training Program and may be reassigned to another training office during training. After completing training, they may be reassigned to a different duty station if workload changes or vacancies occur. The appointment is intended to last one year. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete USDA Recent Graduates Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service, but conversion is not guaranteed. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

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 a satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Serve a one-year trial period.
Complete and sign a Pathways participant agreement upon entry on duty.
Use direct deposit for federal payments.
Pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Meet Recent Graduates eligibility requirements: have completed all requirements for an associate, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctoral, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution within the previous two years, subject to the stated extension for qualifying military service.
Meet the qualifications for the applicable grade level (GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9) through the specified specialized experience, education, or combination of education and experience.
For GS-5 specialized experience, have one year equivalent to GS-4 involving gathering and analyzing facts and figures and presenting conclusions clearly, or knowledge of financial analysis principles or insurance laws; alternatively, meet the specified bachelor's degree education criteria or a combination of education and experience.
For GS-7 specialized experience, have one year equivalent to GS-5 demonstrating basic knowledge of loan examination or servicing and agricultural credit risk, along with knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, crop and livestock production, and local prices and markets; alternatively, meet the specified graduate education or Superior Academic Achievement criteria, or a combination of education and experience.
For GS-9 specialized experience, have one year equivalent to GS-7 demonstrating competence in agricultural loans, credit analysis, review of applications and supporting documents and credit reports, servicing small agricultural loans, and knowledge of farm operations and local agricultural markets; alternatively, meet the specified graduate education criteria or a combination of education and experience.
Applicants qualifying based on education must provide transcripts. Education must be from an accredited institution; foreign education must meet the stated equivalency and translation requirements.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements within seven months of the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Interview loan applicants, review loan applications, and make preliminary inquiries to gather facts and assess applicant eligibility.
Provide technical advice, guidance, and credit counseling to loan applicants and borrowers.
Apply knowledge of agency farm loan programs and eligibility requirements.
Apply technical knowledge of farm financing and credit, financial management, farm operations, land use and value, crop and livestock production, and local prices and markets.
Assist the Farm Loan Manager in administering farm loan programs at a USDA Service Center serving one or more counties.
Complete the requirements of the Farm Loan Training Program.