Policy Officer

National Institute of Food and Agriculture • Kansas City, MO

13d

About The Position

This position is in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Office of the Director, Policy and Oversight Division. The Policy Officer serves as the primary Policy Advisor to the Associate Directors responsible for establishing Federal assistance policy. The role reviews, analyzes, and develops complex, precedent-setting, and controversial policy matters covering a variety of Federal assistance issues.

The position provides leadership in formulating and implementing Federal financial assistance policy for NIFA extramural programs, and advises on the legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of supporting those programs. It also leads NIFA’s policy decision-making support by providing comprehensive, quantitative, and balanced information and analysis, and guides recipient institutions on financial systems and internal controls to help ensure compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations.

The role develops work plans, operating budgets, priorities, schedules, and milestones in accordance with Departmental, Agency, and organizational requirements. This is a Schedule Policy/Career position in the excepted service; service is at-will and does not confer competitive status upon appointment. The position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. National status.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; current federal employees applying for promotion must have 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the normal line of progression.
• For GS-15, one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-14, directly related to the position.
• Specialized experience directing and overseeing financial assistance and grant programs; developing, interpreting, and implementing organizational or agency-wide policies and procedures; leading compliance, audit, internal control, or risk management reviews and resolving corrective actions; providing authoritative guidance on Federal laws, regulations, and program policies; advising senior leadership on complex financial, grants, or regulatory matters; and serving as principal liaison with internal and external stakeholders regarding Federal program administration and oversight.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Obtain and maintain a security clearance; selected candidates are subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and credit report.
• Submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of initial appointment and annually thereafter.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for individuals born male after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully complete required background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Complete a one-year probationary period unless prior service is creditable; a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period also applies unless prior service is creditable.
• New USDA supervisors must complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Enroll in Continuous Vetting, including continuous automated checks of criminal, financial, and public-record databases.
• No educational requirements are specified.

Responsibilities

• Develop work plans, operating budgets, and priorities, and establish schedules and milestones for assigned work in accordance with Departmental, Agency, and organizational requirements.
• Provide professional advice on the legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of supporting extramural programs.
• Lead the formulation and implementation of Federal financial assistance policy for NIFA extramural programs.
• Serve in a lead role for NIFA’s policy decision-making process by providing comprehensive, quantitative, and balanced information and analysis on policy issues affecting Agency programs.
• Provide expert guidance to recipient institution officials on maintaining financial systems and internal controls in compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations.
• Review, analyze, and develop complex, precedent-setting, and controversial policy matters involving Federal assistance.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type.
• The position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, subject to agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

What This Job Offers

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