Crop Assessment Specialist

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food and agriculture issues based on public policy, the best available science and effective management. The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S. food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.

Major duties

• Uses state-of-the-art computer hardware and software for satellite remote sensing imagery analysis and geographic information system operations, analyzes satellite data in assessing crop conditions in foreign and/or domestic areas.
• Plans and carries out projects for collecting detailed agronomic and economic data on world production of assigned commodities; utilizes agronomic models and guidelines for making crop forecasts.
• Analyzes and appraises agronomic factors affecting crop yields and the effects of economic plans, policies, and programs of specific foreign governments that are designed to increase or control production of assigned commodities.
• Certifies area and production estimates used by the Agency for simultaneous entry into USDA's Production Estimates database and the Production Supply and Distribution database.
• Prepares complex analytical reports, special alert reports, and technical papers based on study findings for publication; prepares and presents briefings on analyses and assessments.

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 time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: -Substantial experience of remote sensing techniques and automated data processing (ADP) technology, particularly image processing, GIS, and associated equipment; -Experience with world production of assigned commodities, including agronomy, soil science, crop modeling, crop management practices, geography, crop reactions to weather stress, and local crop calendars; -Experience with non-survey methods of production forecasting, including trend analysis, yield modeling, and remote sensing-based techniques; -Experience with conducting research and gathering documentation in order to compile comprehensive reports. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.