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SummaryAs a National Science Liaison, you will serve as a science representative, located in the Washington, D.C., area, engaging with stakeholders and other Federal partners to advance NIFA programs and serve as an expert resource.ResponsibilitiesPromoting the agency's research, education, and extension portfolio to advance the strategic goals and management objectives of NIFA and the Department.Providing broad scientific and technical expertise to the NIFA Director and other USDA officials to address critical national issues.Representing the policy and philosophy of NIFA to partners, other Federal agencies, the Congress, stakeholders and other customers, and the general public.Leading the facilitation and coordination of stakeholder and interagency interactions that routinely occur within the National Capital Region.Ensuring issues are considered and addressed appropriately in the development of programs, policies, and guidance provided to agency and Department leadership.Assessing the quality, outcomes, and impacts of NIFA programs through portfolio reviews and other evaluation activities to identify needed changes and implement improvements to programs.Engaging in trans-disciplinary teams to address mission critical priorities by involving NIFA field scientific and technical experts.RequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements for the 401 series:Degree: Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.ORCombination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR Basic Requirements for the 101 series:Degree: Behavioral or Social Science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.ORCombination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.ORFour years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts AND In addition to the basic requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications: 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 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as providing direction and leadership to regional or national food and agricultural sciences programs related to food safety and/or technology, nutrition, or STEM education; formulating policies to implement programs to enhance agriculture-related sciences; providing policy direction and coordinating work with various stakeholders in the performance of agricultural research, extension, and education activities; administering a program of non-competitive or competitive grants; and conducting program evaluations to improve the administration and efficacy of research, education, and extension programs. 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.EducationPlease see above for education qualification requirement information.Additional InformationCareer Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified based on an evaluation of the following competencies:Interpersonal Skills, Planning and Evaluating, Program Coordination, and Technical Competence. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter. Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given a new appointment to the civil service. This Position is being filled through OPM's government-wide Direct-Hire Authority for this occupation and is open to all U.S. Citizens. Your application will be evaluated for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience and/or education meet the minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and other basic requirements will be referred and are eligible for selection.