Loan Assistant/Specialist (Agricultural) (Recent Graduates)

This position is assigned to the Farm Service Agency, Georgia State Office in Louisville, Georgia.

About the position: Assists the Farm Loan Manager in administering farm loan programs in a USDA Service Center serving one or more Counties.

This paid appointment may offer additional Recruitment/Relocation incentives and Student Loan Repayment Program opportunities. Please see additional information in the announcement below.

Qualifications:

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year learning the fundamentals of the position for which they can be converted.

If you meet the area of consideration identified in "This job is open to" and "Clarification from the agency" above, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the qualifications of the grade level(s) you apply for.

(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.) For the GS-5 level, an applicant must have:

• A 4-year course of study bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or another field related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology from an accredited college or university -OR-
• One year of graduate education leading to a master's or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or another field related to the position such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock, ranch management or rural sociology -OR-
• At least one full-time year (12 months) of specialized work experience that demonstrated basic knowledge of loan examining and/or servicing principles, procedures and techniques as they apply to investigation, analysis and evaluation of financial factors and credit risks in granting and servicing of agricultural loans. In addition, this experience demonstrated basic knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, production of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the farming area -OR-
• At three (3) years of progressively responsible general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4, that required (1) gathering and analyzing facts and figures, and presenting the information or conclusions in clear oral and written language; or (2) that provided a knowledge of the principles of financial analysis or of insurance laws, such as contract, property, life, casualty, or marine insurance -OR-
• A combination of education and experience as listed above, which much total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.

For the GS-7 level, an applicant must have:

• Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or another field related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology from an accredited college or university with either: 1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; 2) a 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study; 3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; 4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies -OR-
• One year of graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or another field related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology -OR-
• Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 level in the Federal service or private sector equivalent that demonstrates basic knowledge of loan examining and/or servicing principles, procedures and techniques as they apply to investigation, analysis, and evaluation of financial factors and credit risks in relation to granting and servicing of agricultural loans. Experience may have been gained in such work as assisting in reviewing and passing upon applications for agricultural loans; servicing an agricultural loan portfolio of a bank or other loan association; or similar work. In addition, this experience must demonstrate basic knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, production of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the farming area where loans are made and serviced -OR-
• A combination of graduate education and experience as listed above, which much total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.

For the GS-9 level, an applicant must have:

• Two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology -OR-
• Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-7 level in the Federal service or private sector equivalent. Experience that demonstrates competence in agricultural loans. Experience may have been gained in such work as reviewing and passing upon applications for agricultural loans; servicing an agricultural loan portfolio of a bank or other loan association; or similar work. Experience that demonstrates knowledge of credit principles and practices to assess the fundamental soundness of individual loans by independently examining applications, supporting documents, and credit reports, and maintaining servicing activities on small agricultural loans. In addition, experience must demonstrate knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, production of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the farming area where loans are made and serviced -OR-
• A combination of graduate education and experience as listed above, which much total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Loan Specialist Series 1165 (opm.gov)

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.