Social Science Analyst

Summary

The selectee uses applied market research principles to develop studies aimed at improving the performance of local and regional food systems (include farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, food hubs, wholesale markets, etc.) and identify innovative marketing and business strategies for US farm and food businesses. The ideal candidate will have a background in agricultural marketing research, data analysis, value chain coordination, and regional food systems.

Duties

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Conduct market research to identify and monitor trends, opportunities, and challenges in the local and regional food systems that affect agricultural producers, processors, and stakeholder organizations.
• Develop research proposals, ideas, and initiatives through working with internal and external partners aimed at enhancing the sustainability of local and regional food systems.
• Lead research projects aimed at developing and recommending appropriate agricultural and business strategies for various producer and agribusiness constituents.
• Define, plan, and organize the scope of research studies, establish project objectives, research methodologies, and timetables for completion in order to solve problems. Collects, review, and analyzes data from primary and secondary sources.
• Provide expert consultation on local and regional food system issues and provides briefing material and technical assistance to governmental officials, private organizations, or citizens charged with decision-making or policy-making responsibilities.
• Works with external partners on analyzing data related to consumer preferences, market demand, and pricing of local and regional agricultural and food products.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: In order to be considered for this announcement, applicants must meet one or more of the following: a.Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR b. Combination 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. OR c. Four 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate the below: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Leading multiple research projects on farm and food systems topics, including developing and evaluating research scopes of work, designing and executing studies, and analyzing results to inform program and policy decisions. Developing, implementing, and improving research-based outreach, technical assistance, or educational tools for local and regional food system stakeholders, including state agencies, farmers markets, producers, food hubs, institutions, and other community partners. Experience working with partners across local, state or federal agencies, and/or collaborating with a variety of local food systems stakeholders to increase support for, demand for, and supply of local and regional food. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information. How You Will Be Evaluated

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13109449 Other Information

Career 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 (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.