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| ![       | **United  | **Rural**       | **VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT**   |
| ](media/ | States\   |                 |                            |
| image1.w | D         | **Development** |                            |
| mf){widt | epartment |                 |                            |
| h="0.890 | of\       |                 |                            |
| 97222222 | Agri      |                 |                            |
| 22223in" | culture** |                 |                            |
| height   |           |                 |                            |
| ="0.5555 |           |                 |                            |
| 55555555 |           |                 |                            |
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+----------+-----------+-----------------+----------------------------+

**[VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO: ND 01-06]{.underline}**

**[OPENING DATE:]{.underline} May 1, 2006 [CLOSING DATE:]{.underline}
May 30, 2006**

**[POSITION TITLE, SERIES AND GRADE:]{.underline}**

Loan Specialist (Commercial)

Business & Community Program Specialist, GS-1165-9/11/12

GS-09: \$42,955 - \$55,846 per annum

GS-11: \$51,972 - \$67,567 per annum

GS-12: \$62,291 - \$80,975 per annum

**[PROMOTION POTENTIAL:]{.underline}**

The incumbent selected from this vacancy announcement at the GS-9 or
GS-11 is eligible for noncompetitive promotion to GS-12. Such promotions
are not automatic but conditional upon satisfactory completion of any
required training, demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the
position at the next higher grade level and certification of need for
the position to be filled at the next higher grade.

**[POSITION LOCATION]{.underline}:**

Business & Community Program Staff, Bismarck, ND State Office

**[AREA OF CONSIDERATION]{.underline}:**

Open to Federal employees, nationwide who have competitive (Career or
Career-Conditional) status and reinstatement eligibility. Well qualified
USDA Career Transition Assistance Participant (CTAP) and Interagency
Career Transition Assistance Participant (ICTAP) eligibles within the
Bismarck ND commuting area.

CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must apply and provide documentation (RIF
separation notice, Certification of Employee Separation-CES) identifying
themselves as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible and be well qualified for the
position. To be rated well qualified, the CTAP/ICTAP applicant must meet
all selective factors and be rated at least satisfactory or above on
each of the KSA elements of this announcements.

**[NOTE:]{.underline}**

Applicants must meet qualification, time-in-grade and
time-after-competitive appointment (if applicable) requirements by the
closing date of this vacancy announcement.

**[POSITION DUTIES:]{.underline}**

Assist the Business & Community Program Director in leading rural
development efforts throughout the state. Make and service complex and
difficult loans, loan guarantees and grants under Business & Community
Programs authorities. Provide credit and technical assistance to rural
communities, business concerns and individuals. Perform a variety of
tasks in the Business & Community Program Division, State Office
involving principles, methods and techniques relating to processing and
servicing loans and grants. Provide information on loan eligibility and
servicing actions within the authority of the State Office.

**[REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES IS NOT
AUTHORIZED]{.underline}.**

**[SEND APPLICATION TO]{.underline}:**

ATTN: HUMAN RESOURCES - **[ADDRESSEE ONLY]{.underline}** Phone: (701)
530-2054, -2057

USDA Rural Development Fax: (701) 530-2111

P.O. Box 1737

220 East Rosser Avenue Suite 210

Bismarck ND 58502-1737

**[BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:]{.underline}**

OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards handbook, Group
Coverage Qualifications Standard for Administrative and Management
Positions applies and is available in the State Office.

[SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE]{.underline}

GS-09: 1 year equivalent to at least GS-07

GS-11: 1 year equivalent to at least GS-09

GS-12: 1 year equivalent to at least GS-11

**[OR]{.underline}**

[EDUCATION]{.underline}

GS-09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of
progressively higher

level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if
related.

GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of
progressively higher level

graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related.

**[SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE]{.underline}** includes experience that
demonstrates competence in agricultural, commercial, realty or other
types of loans. Experience may have been gained in such work as
reviewing and passing upon applications for agricultural, commercial,
bank or mortgage loans; servicing a loan portfolio of a bank or other
loan association; performing financial analysis of commercial concerns
for investment purposes; appraising real estate to determine property
valuation; or similar work.

**[COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE]{.underline}:** Combining
successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be
used to meet qualification requirements by determining your qualifying
experience as a percentage of the experience required. Then determine
your education as a percentage of the education required and add the two
percentages. The total percentage must equal 100 percent. Only graduate
education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade
level may be used to qualify applicants at the GS-09 and GS-11.

**[TO APPLY:]{.underline}** Submit appropriate forms as described in
\'APPLICATION PROCEDURES\'. Applications must be received by close of
business on May 30, 2006 to receive consideration.

**[EVALUATION METHOD]{.underline}:**

Basic qualification and eligibility determinations will be made solely
on the basis of the application and attachments in comparison to the
Qualifications Standards and OPM requirements. Evaluation to determine
well-qualified candidate(s) will be accomplished by comparing the
candidates' experience, education, training, self-development,
recognition and supervisory appraisal(s) as it pertains to the following
job-related knowledges, skills, and abilities (KSA's). Applicants are
cautioned to carefully read and follow the instructions provided on any
supplemental forms. The list(s) of well-qualified candidates will be
referred to the Selecting Official.

**[EVALUATION CRITERIA:]{.underline}**

Describe any experience, education, training or awards that demonstrate
your possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the
performance in this position for each of the following criteria. Each of
the following criteria is to be addressed separately on plain, bond
paper.

1.  Ability to interpret and apply regulations, guidelines, and
    procedures relating to Rural Utility Service/Rural Business Service
    (RUS/RBS) programs.

2.  Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to accomplish program
    objectives.

3.  Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and
    individuals on a variety of program issues.

4.  Ability to analyze, evaluate and develop solutions for complex
    RUS/RBS loan and grant proposals.

5.  Knowledge of RUS/RBS credit risk and lending principles.

**[APPLICATION PROCEDURES]{.underline}:**

Failure to submit all of the required documents will eliminate
candidates from consideration for this position. All required
application documents must be received in the office specified in this
vacancy announcement no later than close of business (4:30 p.m. CDT) on
the closing date. Please include the vacancy announcement number at the
top of Optional Form 612, or a résumé or as indicated on the SF-171.
Documents submitted will not be returned. Education above the high
school level *WILL NOT BE* CREDITED without official verification (e.g.
transcript).

**[REQUIRED DOCUMENTS]{.underline}:**

1.  Submit [one]{.underline} of the following: OF 612, Optional
    Application for Federal Employment or a résumé, which must include
    information as defined in OPM Pamphlet, *[Applying for a Federal
    Job]{.underline}* (OF 510). The SF-171, Application for Federal
    Employment (Rev 6-88) will be accepted. PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH
    position descriptions, letters of commendation, certificates of
    training, or publications.

2.  A copy of a recent (within 18 months) performance appraisal or a
    written justification if no appraisal has been received in the last
    18 months.

3.  A written response to each KSA identified under *Evaluation
    Criteria.*

4.  I/CTAP eligibles must provide a copy of the most recent SF-50B,
    Notification of Personnel Action.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL ELIMINATE
CANDIDATES FROM CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.

**[OPTIONAL FORM]{.underline}:**

Applicants may voluntarily complete and submit the attached
*Supplemental Supervisor Appraisal Form* with their application

**[OTHER INFORMATION:]{.underline}**

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT -- Permanent, full-time REPRESENTATION -- Bargaining
Unit position

TRAVEL -- Some travel required

COLA -- Rest of US

FLSA -- Nonexempt

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE -- OGE 450, Executive Branch Financial Disclosure
Statement required

within 30 days of appointment and annually, thereafter.

**[SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES:]{.underline}**

Persons with disabilities; former Peace Corps, VISTA and Action
Cooperative Volunteers; Veterans Readjustment Appointment (VRA)
eligibles; and 30 percent or more compensable disabled veterans may be
considered under special hiring authorities.

Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA) -- a disabled veteran or have served on
active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or
expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized; or participated in
a military operation while serving on active duty for which an Armed
Forces Service Medal was awarded or be a recently separated veteran
within the past three (3) years.

Veterans\' Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 -- preference eligible
or a veteran separated after three or more years of continuous service
performed under honorable conditions. If release occurred up to 31 days
short of completing three years of continuous active duty, the military
service will be considered to have met the length of service requirement
for VEOA.

30% or More Disabled Veterans -- retired from active military service
with a disability rating of 30% or more or rated within the preceding
year to have a compensable service-related disability of 30% or more.

If applying through the veterans\' provisions, providing of a copy of a
DD-214 is required. Applicants must, also, meet qualification
requirements of the position and be within the Area of Consideration.

**[REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:]{.underline}**

This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with
disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the
application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision
on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

**[NOTICE TO APPLICANTS AND SUPERVISORS:]{.underline}**

Employees on extended leave must notify their supervisor if they wish to
be considered for promotions, and provide information where they can be
reached. Notification then becomes the supervisor\'s responsibility.

**[SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM]{.underline}:**

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 will have to certify prior
to or at the time of appointment that they have registered with the
Selective Service System.

**[MAILING OF APPLICATIONS]{.underline}:**

Use of postage-paid government agency envelopes to file job applications
is a violation of Federal laws and regulations. Applications submitted
in postage-paid government envelopes will not be accepted and will be
returned. However, applications submitted by facsimile will be accepted
at (701) 530-2111.

**[EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC NOTICE]{.underline}:**

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all
its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at
202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14^th^ and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

USDA CTAP/ICTAP REQUIREMENTS

[USDA CTAP ELIGIBLES]{.underline}

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SURPLUS OR DISPLACED EMPLOYEES REQUESTING
SPECIAL SELECTION PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: If you are currently a
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE employee who has received a Reduction in Force
(RIF) separation notice, a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES), or
a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or
transfer of function outside the local commuting area, you may be
entitled to special priority selection under the DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). To
receive this priority consideration, you must:

1.  Be a current DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE career or career-conditional
    (tenure group I or II) competitive service employee who has received
    a RIF separation notice or a CES, and the date of the RIF separation
    has not passed and you are still on the rolls of the DEPARTMENT OF
    AGRICULTURE. You must submit a copy of the RIF separation notice or
    CES along with your application.

2.  Be applying for a position that is at or below the grade level of
    the position from which you are being separated. The position must
    not have a greater promotion potential than the position from which
    you are being separated.

3.  Have a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least
    fully successful or equivalent. This must be submitted with your
    application package.

4.  Be currently employed by the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE in the same
    commuting area of the position for which you are requesting priority
    consideration.

5.  File your application by the vacancy announcement closing date and
    meet all of the application criteria (e.g., submit all required
    documentation, etc.).

6.  Be rated well qualified for the position. To be rated well
    qualified, CTAP applicants must meet all selective factors and be
    rated at least satisfactory or above on each of the KSA evaluation
    criteria.

Additionally, your eligibility for the program must not have ended as
provided in 5 CFR Section 330.605(c) (1)-(4).

[ICTAP ELIGIBLES]{.underline}

DISPLACED EMPLOYEES REQUESTING SPECIAL SELECTION PRIORITY CONSIDERATION
UNDER THE INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): If
you are a displaced Federal employee you may be entitled to receive
special priority selection under the ICTAP. To receive this priority
consideration, you must be a displaced Federal employee. You must submit
a copy of the appropriate documentation such as a RIF separation notice,
or a letter from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or your agency
documenting your priority consideration status with

your application package. The following categories of candidates are
considered displaced employees:

A. Current or former career or career-conditional (Tenure Group I or II)
competitive service employees who:

1.  Received a specific RIF separation notice; or

2.  Separated because of compensable injury, whose compensation has been
    terminated, and whose former agency certifies that it is unable to
    place; or

3.  Retired with a disability and whose disability annuity has been or
    is being terminated; or

4.  Upon receipt of a RIF separation notice retired on the effective
    date of the RIF and submits a Standard Form 50 that indicated
    \"Retirement in lieu of RIF,\" or

5.  Retired under the discontinued service retirement option; or

6.  Was separated because s/he declined a transfer of function or
    directed reassignment to another commuting area.

OR

B. Former Military Reserve or National Guard Technicians who are
receiving a special OPM disability retirement

> annuity under section 8337(h) or 8456 of Title 5 United States Code.

1.  Be applying for a position at or below the grade level of the
    position from which you have been separated. The position must not
    have a greater promotion potential than the position from which you
    were separated.

2.  Have a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least
    fully successful or equivalent. This must be submitted with your
    application package. (This requirement does not apply to candidates
    who are eligible due to compensable injury or disability
    retirement.).

3.  Occupy or be displaced from a position in the same local commuting
    area of the position for which you are requesting priority
    consideration.

4.  File your application by the vacancy announcement closing date and
    meet all the application criteria (e.g., submit all required
    documentation, etc.).

5.  Be rated well qualified for the position. To be rated well
    qualified, ICTAP applicants must meet all selective factors and be
    rated at least satisfactory or above on each of the KSA evaluation
    criteria.

Additionally, eligibility for the program must not have expired as
provided in 5 CFR Section 330.704(c) (1)-(6).

**(Required)**

**SELF-EVALUATION FOR MERIT PROMOTION**

**SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE**

**ON KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA\'s)**

Name of Applicant:

Position Applying for: **Loan Specialist (Commercial)**

> **Business & Community Program Specialist, GS-1165-9/11/12**

**Bismarck, ND State Office**

Vacancy Number: **ND 01-06**

This form is designed for you to specifically describe in detail all
experience and knowledge you have had pertaining to the KSAs defined
below. Describe accurately, in terms of specific tasks performed, all
that reflect your experience and training for each KSA. Do not use only
job titles. Do not attach copies of job descriptions, certificates of
training, letters of commendation(s), etc.

To receive full credit for your qualifications, be sure to describe in
detail all experience, training, education, recognition, hobbies, and
self-development activities, outside activities, volunteer work and any
other aspects of your background, which demonstrates the level of
knowledge, skill and ability you have. This supplement will be used
along with your application (SF-171, OF 612, or résumé) and performance
appraisal in determining the evaluation of candidates for the position.

1.  **Ability to interpret and apply regulations, guidelines, and
    procedures relating to Rural Utility Service/Rural Business Service
    (RUS/RBS) programs.**

2.  **Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to accomplish
    program objectives.**

3.  **Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and
    individuals on a variety of program issues.**

4.  **Ability to analyze, evaluate and develop solutions to complex
    RUS/RBS loan and grant proposals.**

5.  **Knowledge of RUS/RBS credit risk and lending principles.**

Please attach the documentation for each KSA to this form.

> **(Optional)**

**Rural Development**

**Supplemental Supervisor Appraisal Form**

> **Announcement No.:** [ND 01-06]{.underline}

You may have this appraisal completed by your **Position**: Loan
Specialist (Commercial)

supervisor and submit it with your application Business & Community
Program Specialist

If the appraisal is submitted directly by the GS-1165-9/11/12

supervisor, the applicant will be permitted to Bismarck, ND State Office

review and/or obtain a copy of the appraisal.

**NAME OF APPLICANT:**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Ranking Factors - Knowledge, skills, abilities, [Level of
Performance]{.underline}

and personal characteristics (Please check as appropriate)

[SUPERVISOR]{.underline}: Please use "KSA Definition Rating Scale\" 5 -
Superior

to make your evaluation. Award the level the employee 3 - Satisfactory

deserves, disregarding the annual performance appraisal. 1 - Minimally
Acceptable

5 3 1

1\. Ability to interpret and apply regulations, guidelines. and
procedures relating to

Rural Utility Service/Rural Business Service (RUS/RBS) programs.

2\. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to accomplish program
objectives.

3\. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and
individuals on a

variety of program issues.

4\. Ability to analyze, evaluate and develop solutions to complex
RUS/RBS loan

grant proposals.

5\. Knowledge of RUS/RBS credit risk and lending principles.

Narrative: Briefly evaluate the candidate's overall ability to perform
the duties and responsibilities of the position. If more space is
required, use the back of this page. Narrative comments are required for
all evaluations.

In what capacity are you making this appraisal?

\[ \] Present, immediate supervisor \[ \] Present 2nd line supervisor \[
\] Other

Period during which you supervised the applicant: From: To:

Appraiser's Signature
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Telephone Number
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_