Monday, December 23, 2013

Summer Legal Intern - Indiana Farm Bureau

Description of organization:

Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. is Indiana’s largest nonprofit farm organization focusing on agriculture.  Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.’s mission is to promote agriculture through public education, member engagement, and by advocating for agricultural and rural needs through policies and programs to improve the economic and social welfare of our members. 


Ad sent to schools:

Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., Indiana’s largest nonprofit farm organization, is seeking one summer legal intern.  The primary focus will be agricultural law, nonprofit corporate law, and regulatory issues affecting farmers.  The position offers an opportunity to interact with governmental agencies, industry groups, and businesses and individuals related to production agriculture.  Other opportunities will arise as well.  Course work or experience in environmental, land use, nonprofit, administrative, estate planning, secured transactions, property or local government law could prove useful.  An agricultural background is helpful but not required.  A 2L is preferred.  Excellent research and writing skills required.  Respond in writing with cover letter and resume to:  Mark Thornburg, General Counsel, Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., 225 South East Street, P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN  46206-1290.  All materials must be postmarked by February 12, 2014.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Research Coordinator - Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA

Position: Research Coordinator
Application Deadline: January 12, 2014
Start Date: February 14, 2014

Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI) seeks a Research Coordinator who will be responsible for the coordination of multi-state and multi-institution research projects. This position’s primary research focus will be risk analyses of sustainable farming practices. This position will contribute to RAFI’s work to expand use of sustainable production and risk management practices. A successful candidate will have experience in quantitative data analysis, be highly organized, and have a strong attention to detail.
The Organization: The Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA’s mission is to cultivate markets, policies, and communities that sustain thriving, socially just, and environmentally sound family farms. RAFI works nationally and internationally, focusing on North Carolina and the southeastern United States. RAFI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pittsboro, North Carolina. For more information, visit our website at www.rafiusa.org.
Principal Responsibilities:
· Coordinate research activities on multiple projects with multiple research institutions and project partners
· Develop research designs
· Identify data sources
· Develop research surveys
· Develop farmer focus group protocol
· Maintain and form new relationships with stakeholders and project partners
· Organize farmer outreach and education
· Report research findings
· Monitor budgets
· Report project expenditures
· Provide reports and updates to fundraising staff
· Design and manage personal work plan
· Monitor progress toward grant deliverables
· Draft reports to funders
Minimum Qualifications:
· Basic familiarity with principles of sustainable agriculture
· Strong research design and quantitative data analysis skills
· Familiarity with participatory research models
· Experience organizing stakeholder input processes
· 1 to 2 year of related work experience
· Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or a closely related field
Preferred Qualifications:
· Basic familiarity with principles of sustainable agriculture
· Strong research design and quantitative data analysis skills
· Familiarity with participatory research models
· Experience organizing stakeholder input processes
· Master’s degree in economics, public policy, or related field
· 2 years of related work experience
Compensation: This is a full-time position with competitive salary and generous benefits.
EOE: RAFI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from diverse groups.
Applications: E-mail cover letter and resume as one PDF file to researchcoordinator@rafiusa.org and reference your name in subject line. No calls please.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Local Food Systems Coordinator - International Rescue Committee

Position Title: Local Food Systems Coordinator
Start Date: Jan. 15, 2014

Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager, the Local Food Systems Project Coordinator will work primarily on the County of San Diego’s Healthy Local Food Systems Project (the Project) supporting a large Project team in farm-to-institution (F2I) procurement planning and urban/rural agricultural policy and regulations planning. The overarching goal of the Project is to improve San Diego’s food system through significant increases in local food consumption through structural changes, such as institutional procurement and local land use policy. Ultimately, the Project’s goals will assist local San Diego food producers to become more economically successful with more demand as well as increased production in more local jurisdictions.

Responsibilities:•         Support the Project team in all capacities, particularly with regards to the Project scope of work and particularly with regard to Project stakeholder meetings, internal Project team meetings and Project documents and communication.
•         Learn skills in Year 1 to increase capacity to lead meetings in following years of the Project
•         Liaise with and between County staff and build, increase and sustain long-term capacity in F2I and local urban/rural agricultural planning.
•         Engage with FSCH and other IRC programs to deepen IRC and San Diego County partnerships for mutual learning, cross-support and increased successful Project impacts
•         Deepen partnership and working relationship with the County of San Diego colleagues for long-term post-Project sustainability
•         Collect and compile data, author and revise internal and external Project documents, as needed
•         Support IRC Food Security and Community Health Department projects, as needed.
•         Other related duties as assigned

Requirements:•         Bachelors in public health, food systems, urban ecology, health equity planning or related field ; Masters preferred.
•         At least two years of related work in a professional office setting.
•         Experience with and knowledge of farming, food systems, food policy, urban agriculture and/or healthy food access issues.
•         Strong project management experience, including complex project planning, effective meeting procedures, professional writing, public speaking in large, formal settings and budget management skills.
•         Strong relationship building and partnering skills as demonstrated by past experience cultivating, establishing and growing networks and professional relationships
•         Able to represent the organization professionally to the public, government entities, institutional partners, etc. as demonstrated by past examples of success with similar responsibilities
•         Strong commitment to work within large organizational settings to institute systemic food systems change within institutions and local governments
•         A strong desire to learn and receive mentorship in technical aspects as well as social navigation skills necessary for high-impact F2I and agricultural policy and regulations.


Anchi Mei, AICP | Senior Program Manager, Food Security and Community Health Department
International Rescue Committee
5348 University Avenue, Suite 115, San Diego, CA 92105 | Rescue.org<http://Rescue.org>
+1 619-641-7510 ext. 234| Email: Anchi.Mei@Rescue.org<mailto:Ralph.Achenbach@Rescue.org>
Learn more about our program!<http://www.rescue.org/us-program/us-san-diego-ca/fsch>    Find many ways to be involved!<http://www.rescue.org/us-program/us-san-diego-ca/climb-aboard-food-and-health-partnership>

Assistant General Counsel - USDA OGC (Washington, D.C.)

Job Title:Assistant General Counsel
Department:Department Of Agriculture
Agency:Office of the General Counsel
Job Announcement Number:AG-14-2014-0007

SALARY RANGE:

$119,554.00 to $179,700.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 to Monday, December 23, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

ES-0905-00

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full Time - Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

0

DUTY LOCATIONS:

1 vacancy - Washington DC, DC View Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

All groups of qualified individuals

JOB SUMMARY:

The closing date has been extended until December 23, 2013. 
The Senior Executive Service (SES) is comprised of the men and women charged with leading the continuing transformation of government. These leaders possess well-honed executive skills and share a broad perspective of government and a public service commitment which is grounded in the Constitution.
This position is in the SES, General. Positions in the SES are not graded. SES employees are also eligible for bonuses and awards based on performance. Veteran's preference is not applicable to the SES. Selectee is subject to a one-year probationary period, unless currently serving under an SES appointment. Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/for additional information and benefits for SES employees.

If you would like to work for a premier agency that is focused on enhancing the quality of life for the American people by supporting production of agriculture: ensuring a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply; caring for agricultural, forest, and range lands; supporting sound development of rural communities; providing economic opportunities for farm and rural residents; expanding global markets for agricultural and forest products and services; and working to reduce hunger in America and throughout the world, USDA is the place for you. To learn more about our agency, our exciting mission, vision, and guiding principles, please visit http://www.usda.gov

KEY REQUIREMENTS


  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position
  • You must be able to obtain/ maintain a background investigation
  • This position may be subject to random drug testing

DUTIES:

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The incumbent serves as Assistant General Counsel responsible for assisting in managing and supervising the Marketing, Regulatory and Food Safety Programs Division, providing legal support to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). Legal support provided to AMS is critical to the proper administration of programs that facilitate the efficient and fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products, including food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS programs include: Dairy; Fruit and Vegetable; Livestock, Poultry and Seed; Cotton and Tobacco; the National Organic Program; Science and Technology, and transportation and marketing. APHIS is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. Legal support to these efforts impacts the overall mission of USDA to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related matters. Finally, the incumbent provides legal support to GIPSA, a USDA agency that facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds and related agricultural products, and promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. The incumbent supervises the provision of a full range of legal services to all of these agencies and programs, including the drafting and review of legislation, regulations, and other documents, the provision of both formal and informal legal advice, assisting the Department of Justice with the prosecution and defense of Federal cases, and conducting administrative litigation for the Department of Agriculture. Finally, the incumbent is responsible for completing special assignments from the Associate General Counsel involving matters of considerable complexity, sensitivity, difficulty, and significance to the Department's marketing, regulatory, and food safety programs.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service, or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non- governmental organizations. Your resume needs to emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions.  

Failure to meet the basic qualification requirement and all Mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualification factors automatically disqualifies an applicant.

You must have a professional law degree (LL.B or J.D.) and be an active member of the bar of any state, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
You must be able to obtain/ maintain a background investigation

....


HOW TO APPLY:

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin.

You must complete the application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Assistance is available during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship hard-copy application packages with supporting documents must be received no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

 You can apply for this position via on-line submission. Your online application must include the following documents:

1. Resume  
2. Responses to the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.  
3. Supporting Documentation (See required documents for more information)

Candidates who do not submit complete application packages as indicated will not be considered.

Please be sure to remove all PII (e.g. SSN & DOB) from all documents.

Spell out Acronyms the first time used.

Applicants who cannot apply on-line, please mail or fax applications to the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement.

Critical Submission Requirements and Reminders

1. Application and supporting documentation will not be accepted via e-mail. 
2. Please be sure to click both (FINISHED) buttons when completing your on-line application. 
3. Our online application system is 100% compatible with Internet Explorer (IE) version 5.0 and above.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

A complete application package will require the submission of:

1. Resume, which must include all of the information listed below.

Vacancy announcement number

Full name, mailing and email addresses, day and evening telephone numbers

Country of citizenship

Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including; job title, duties and accomplishments , employer's name and address, supervisor name and phone number, duration of employment, and salary and hrs per week

Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities attended, major as well as the type of degree received

Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments

2. Responses to the Executive Core Qualifications

Submit a Supplemental Applicant Statement which addresses EACH of the ECQs separately. Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each page of the supplemental applicant statement. The purpose of this statement is to provide you, as an applicant, the opportunity to elaborate on your experience, training, and specifically, significant achievements which relates to the ECQs being used to identify the best qualified candidates for this vacancy. DO NOT simply repeat entries from other parts of your application package.

Please provide complete responses to the executive core qualifications. When addressing the five ECQs the total length of your statement must not exceed 10 pages (no more than 2 pages per ECQ) using 1 inch margins and a 12 point font.

An ECQ statement may include one or two examples of relevant experience. The number of examples is not as important as assuring that your experience matches the ECQ criteria, but please try to limit examples to a maximum of two to ensure a clear and concise narrative that flows.

Please provide your examples using the C-C-A-R Model(Challenge/Context/Action/Results), as described below:

a. Challenge: Describe a specific problem or goal.

b. Context: Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked to tackle a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale.)

c. Action: Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge

d. Results: Give specific examples of the results of your actions. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills. Examples of the CCAR model the preferred method of writing your ECQs can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf

3. Responses to the Mandatory Technical Qualifications

Submit a Supplemental Narrative Statement which addresses EACH of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications individually. Your narrative responses must not exceed two (2) pages using 1 inch margins and a 12 point font per Technical Qualification.

4. Supporting Documentation

If you are a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program graduate, submit proof of the Office of Personnel Management's certification and a narrative statement addressing only the mandatory technical qualifications.

If you are a current or former SES member, submit documentation of SES status and a narrative statement addressing only the mandatory technical qualifications. For documentation, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your position, title, series, grade, and tenure.

Please be sure to include the announcement number on your application. Also, please omit your social security number from all pages of your application.


5. Submit proof of valid and active membership in good standing of any state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 


6. DO NOT submit any additional information, extraneous materials will not be considered.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Rhonda Pratt
Phone: (301) 504-4424
Fax: (202) 720-0027
Email: Rhonda.Pratt@dm.usda.gov
Agency Information:
USDA/DM/ERO
5601 Sunnyside Ave, GWCC Rm 2-2149J
Beltsville, MD,
20705
USA
Fax: (202) 720-0027

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Applicants who meet the mandatory requirements in items A (Executive Core Qualifications), and B (Mandatory Technical Qualifications) above will be considered qualified for this position. Rating and ranking to determine the 'best qualified' will be conducted by a panel of experts and will be based upon consideration of the degree to which applicants meet the mandatory requirements as described in the announcement. Interviews and qualifications inquiries may be required.
The Executive Core Qualifications of the selectee are subject to prior approval by the Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Unless you have already been certified by an OPM QRB in the past, your ECQs must be certified by an OPM QRB before appointment can occur. When reviewing Executive Core Qualifications Statements, the QRB is looking for experience as well as specific challenges, actions, and results.

Trial Attorney - USDA (Washington, D.C.; 2 vacancies)

Job Title:Trial Attorney
Department:Department Of Agriculture
Agency:Office of the General Counsel
Job Announcement Number:AG-OGC-2014-0006A

SALARY RANGE:

$62,467.00 to $81,204.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 to Tuesday, December 10, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-0905-11

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full Time - Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

14

DUTY LOCATIONS:

2 vacancies - Washington DC, DC View Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. 

JOB SUMMARY:

USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.  Our vision is to expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice and services to all agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture in administering USDA programs and activities within the defined geographic area.
The position is located in the Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Regulatory, Marketing and Food Safety Programs Division.

KEY REQUIREMENTS


  • Must be a U.S Citizen
  • Must clear a background investigation.

DUTIES:

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As a Trial Attorney (General), you will be responsible for the following:
  • Serving as a Trial Attorney in administrative proceedings for matters arising under applicable statues and agency regulations issued pursuant to them, to include at minimum: reviewing investigative reports, preparing complaints and other pleadings in administrative proceedings; preparing exhibits and interviewing witnesses in the preparation for trial or hearing of such matters; participating in prehearing or pretrial conferences; examining and cross-examining witnesses; arguing motions in the course of such proceedings; preparing briefs in support of the Government’s case; preparing and participating in the oral arguments of such matters.
  • Preparing legal memoranda; drafting or reviewing for legal sufficiency proposed legislation and agency documents having legal import, and conducting thorough and complete legal research on all assigned matters.
  • Serving as an advisor and consultant to departmental and agency officials and attorneys in other divisions of the Office on assigned matters, attending and giving oral advice and maintaining routine contact with administrative officials of the different client agencies; coordinating with opposing counsel and respondents involved in administrative proceedings and DOJ attorneys representing the Department in civil and criminal cases.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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For consideration, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for attorney positions:
  •  Successful completion a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD) (Law School transcript required) and
  • Currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.


Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
  
Bar Membership:
Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 ....

HOW TO APPLY:

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Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin.
The following instructions outline our application process.
  • You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. 
  • We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
  • This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).
Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required.
You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must submit a complete Application Package, prior to 11:59, ET, on the closing date of this announcement.  The following documents must be submitted for your application package to be considered complete. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are received within the required timeframes. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, system failure or downtime, etc. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
  • Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 5) supervisors phone number and e-mail address for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and, 6) other qualifications.
  • College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience and/or if you are using education to meet the criteria for the quality category. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if selected, an official college transcript will be required prior to entering on duty.
  • DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) if claiming Veterans’ Preference. Veterans claiming 10 point preference must also submit an SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference. Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within the last 120 days.
  • Other required documents may include:
    • Bar Membership certification/license
    • Legal writing sample no longer than 10 pages that was written by you.
NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Tabitha White
Phone: 301-504-1567
Fax: 301-504-3674
Email: tabitha.white@dm.usda.gov
Agency Information:
OCFO/DM-Human Resources Office
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Beltsville, MD,
20705
USA
Fax: 301-504-3674

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, you will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful,  2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and  3) if you were selected or not selected. If you choose not to set up automatic email notifications, you must check your USAJOBS account for the latest status of your application. Your application may be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the position prior to issuing lists to a selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Normally, a final job offer to the selected candidate is made within 30-60 days after the issuance of the certificate.