Policy Officer

Summary

This position is located in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Office of the Director, Policy and Oversight Division. You will serve as the primary Policy Advisor to the Associate Directors responsible for establishing Federal assistance policy. You will be responsible for review, analysis, and development of complex, precedent setting, and controversial policy matters covering a variety of Federal assistance issues. USDA employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section.

Duties

• •Develops the work plans, operating budgets, and priorities and establishes schedules and milestones for the accomplishment and review of work assigned based on Departmental Agency, and organizational requirements.
• •Provides professional advice on the legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of supporting extramural programs.
• •Provides leadership in the formulation and implementation of Federal financial assistance policy for NIFA extramural programs.
• •Functions in a lead role for NIFA and serves the decision-making process by bringing comprehensive, quantitative, and balanced information and analysis to all sides of policy issues affecting the Agency's programs.
• •Provides expert guidance and direction to officials at recipient institutions regarding the maintenance of their financial systems and internal controls to ensure they are in compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations.

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. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-15 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-14 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. For this position, specialized experience is 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 the principal liaison with internal and external stakeholders regarding Federal program administration and oversight. 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

No educational requirements for this position.