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USDA AGRICULTURAL LIAISON OFFICER GS-12
Interdisciplinary position classifiable to any series-covering professional and/or scientific work in agriculture or a directly related field.
INTRODUCTION
This position functions as the USDA Agricultural Liaison Officer at a designated 1890 Land Grant Institution or Tuskegee University. Under the direction of the University Supervisory and in coordination with USDA/1890 National Special Program Manager, the incumbent provides liaison and assistance to the assigned institution in such areas as student recruitment and counseling; academic program development; teaching and research assistance; outreach; and agricultural management of university facilities.
This position is a detail assignment under an Intergovernmental Personnel Act. The initial assignment may be 2 years and may be extended for up to 2 additional.
Serves as liaison between assigned institution and USDA agencies to coordinate programs of mutual interest.
Provides guidance and/or teaching assistance to university staff on development of new and existing agriculture, natural resources and related curricula.
Advises and counsels students on employment opportunities and programs of USDA agencies; assists in student recruitment on behalf of institution and USDA agencies, and in academic program development.
Serves on college and university committees and provides expertise and guidance on agriculture and natural resource conservation to faculty, staff, and students.
Provides assistance in coordination with FAC agencies to university faculty on special projects to evaluate program effectiveness and improve outreach efforts.
Serves as USDA agency spokesperson for needed research to effectively provide technology transfer in the area of small-scale and alternative agriculture.
Plans and participates as technical authority in workshops, demonstrations, field days, tours and special events with university faculty, staff and students; USDA, state and local agency personnel.
Performs other duties as assigned.
EVALUATION FACTORS
1.KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED by the POSITION
General knowledge of agriculture and related fields with a specialization in one or more of the following: agricultural business and management, agricultural economic, bioprocess or food and agricultural engineering, animal sciences, plant sciences, horticulture, food science, nutrition, water science, range and wildlife management, agricultural production systems, conservation and regulation, home economics, or other closely allied biological science; in order to provide technical advice and assistance to faculty, staff, and students at assigned institution.
Knowledge of USDA functions, programs, and activities in order to provide liaison and
coordination for recruitment and outreach efforts. Knowledge and skill in oral and
communication methods, techniques, and procedures, sufficient to clearly present USDA
agencies' technical program proposals, objectives and goals to university faculty; members of
various committees; in classrooms; to representatives of local, state, and federal government; and to organize and utilize agricultural natural resource information and data to gain the interest and support of the university faculty, the public, production organizations, conservation leaders and other governmental agencies.
Knowledge of analytical techniques sufficient to establish and maintain databases, analyzes agricultural and natural resource data, and compiles statistics or reports, which document available information and resources.
2. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The incumbent serves under the administrative supervision of the University Supervisory in coordination with the USDA/1890 National Special Program Manager.
The incumbent independently plans and completes work assignments, formulating and developing strategies and plans within broadly defined objectives. The incumbent independently evaluates objectives, analyzes comprehensive data, and determines appropriate action, criteria, standards, and techniques applicable to achieve desired results. The incumbent's work will be utilized and contact made with a wide cross section of the population including students, faculty, agency, professional and other personnel requiring resourcefulness, understanding and responsiveness to address the needs and concerns of the various individuals and groups. Criteria and approaches specific to audience needs must be developed and utilized. Work is coordinated with USDA agencies, faculty, state, and local agency staff.
The University supervisor and USDA/1890 National Special Program Manager are kept informed of significant progress and/or difficulties encountered in accomplishing objectives. Completed work is reviewed for results, by the university supervisor and occasionally by the USDA/1890 National Special Program Manager.
3. GUIDELINES
Guidelines available are found in USDA agency manuals and handbooks; university and state directives and guidelines.
Guidelines may not always be adequate and the incumbent will need to prepare a framework for gathering data needed, evaluate the information, prepare and carry out a recommended course or action. Available criteria are often inadequate for research and other projects involving several sponsors and/or agencies.
4.COMPLEXITY
The incumbent advises and works with the F AC, university faculty and stuff; with college and high school students and parents; and with other federal, state and local agencies to implement USDA and university objectives.
Assignments are complicated by the fact that many of the individuals and groups involved have had little exposure to USDA programs and initiatives.
The incumbent provides university faculty and staff guidance and assistance on resource management of university facilities, research, and special studies.
5.SCOPE AND EFFECT
The purpose of the work is to provide liaison and assistance in student recruitment and counseling; academic program development; teaching; research; special studies; public information activities; outreach; and natural resource management.
The work impact is regional and statewide and is coordinated with USDA, state and local agencies, the public, and others.
6.PERSONAL CONTACTS
Contacts are non-routine and are made with professional, administrative, and other personnel outside USDA such as the faculty and staff of the 1890 university; other universities; regional high school students and parents, faculties and staffs state and local agencies. Many personal contacts are made with USDA and FAC agency heads at the regional or state level.
7.PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
The purpose of contacts is to develop commitments, working agreements, and mutual understanding of significant, sensitive needs and concerns of individuals and agencies. Contacts, will involve a very broad cross section of the population with widely diverse points of view and priorities. The incumbent will develop alternative and compromises through meetings, presentations, and conferences to meet the needs and concerns of the individuals or agencies worked with.
8.PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is sedentary and usually performed while seated at a desk. There is some walking and travel to attend meetings away from the worksite.
9.WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is usually
performed in an office environment requiring precautions typical of
this setting.
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