Nifa Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary These positions are located in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM). Incumbent will execute and administer competitive, non-competitive, and capacity-formula funded grants for research, education, and extension programs for NIFA. Responsibilities Execute and administer grants under broad authorities contained in enabling legislation and the annual appropriations act to include administrative review to ensure award decisions are sound and all relevant information has been received.

Provide technical assistance to recipients based on policies and procedures, to include training research and answering specific questions concerning guidance to the recipients’ specific needs. Process new and continuing grant awards in accordance with any proposed or existing legislation affecting the various types of awards to ensure awards are in compliance with existing legislation. Identify, analyze and resolve complex problems regarding administrative and legal requirements and budgetary issues; and obtains agreement on the arrangements between the potential award recipients and NIFA prior to making an award.

Complete close-outs including but not limited to negotiation of final indirect and direct costs allowable; disposition of property; obtaining release of claims, and settlement of all claims and disputes. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is experience reviewing complex federal grants or cooperative agreement applications; reviewing agricultural or research grant policy or procedures to ensure awards meet pre and post award requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements; and providing advice on established regulations, policies, or procedures for agricultural or research federal grant administration.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section.

When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.