USDA Rural Development

We are Hiring

How to Apply

www.USAJOBS.gov

All USDA Rural Development jobs will be 

posted on the USAJobs website. 

The “How to Apply” section of the job 

announcement will guide you through 

the application process. Here, you will 

also find a list of required supporting 

documents necessary to be considered 

for the position. Be sure to read the job 

announcement thoroughly, and carefully 

follow all instructions. 

More Information

USDA Rural Development careers page: 

https://tinyurl.com/4p39vhsu

Career Opportunities 

We are looking for energetic professionals 

with skills like yours! We offer a broad range 

of career paths and ladders of opportunity 

with positions in finance and lending, project 

management, information technology, 

engineering and architecture, contracting, 

and human resources, among others.

Salaries and Benefits

We support our employees with 

competitive salaries and a comprehensive 

benefits package that includes paid 

vacation and sick leave, parental leave, 

health care coverage, retirement and 

savings plans, life and long-term care 

insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Work-Life Balance

We understand that proper work-life balance 

is vital to your happiness and professional 

success. That is why we offer programs to 

help you maintain a good balance, including 

health and wellness programs, employee 

assistance programs, alternate workplace 

arrangements, and flexible work schedules. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 

employer, and lender.

A guide to employment with

Rural Development and how to apply

Together, America prospers
Who Can Apply

U.S. Citizens and Nationals

Under Executive Order 11935, only U.S. 

citizens and nationals can be appointed to 

competitive service federal jobs.

Veterans

Veterans eligible for special hiring authorities such as the Veterans Employment 

Opportunity Act (VEOA) can compete 

under merit promotion procedures along 

with current federal employees. Veterans 

also can compete for positions open to all 

U.S. citizens using competitive examining 

procedures that offer qualified veterans 

preference over nonveteran candidates. 

Feds Hire Vets website: 

https://www.fedshirevets.gov/

Individuals with Disabilities

Qualified applicants with disabilities 

can be hired noncompetitively using the 

Schedule A Hiring Authority. You can learn 

more at the Office of Personnel Management’s Disability Employment webpage: 

https://tinyurl.com/nmwa828e

Pathways Programs 

(Students and Recent Graduates)

USDA Pathways Programs offer learning 

and hiring opportunities through our paid 

Internship, Recent Graduate, and Presidential Fellows programs. Find out more at 

the Office of Personnel Management 

Students and Recent Graduates 

webpage: https://tinyurl.com/5n7cvsn4

Our Mission 

USDA Rural Development is 

the lead federal agency

helping rural communities grow 

and prosper. We touch lives by 

assisting small towns in rural 

areas with loans and grants 

to build critical infrastructure, including broadband, water systems, 

housing, health 

care, and public 

facilities. 

Be a part 

of our team

Help us build brighter futures 

and drive economic security 

and prosperity in rural America. 

“I love knowing my job improves

small communities across the country. 

The work we do is important and that gives 

me a sense of purpose each day.” 

– Laura R., Rural Development employee

All interested individuals are encouraged to apply 

at Rural Development, including veterans, people 

with disabilities, students, and surplus or displaced 

federal employees.

You:

1. Create a USAJOBS profile to begin your job 

search at https://usda-rd.usajobs.gov.

2. Search for a specific job by keyword, agency, 

location, salary, or occupation. 

3. Carefully review the job announcement in which 

you are interested. 

4. Thoroughly prepare and submit your application. Be sure to include all required documents. 

We:

1. Review all eligible applications, and select 

qualified candidates for interviews.

2. Extend a tentative offer to the selected 

candidate.

3. After a successful background investigation, 

extend a final job offer with a formal start date.

The Hiring Process