FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (TRAINEE)

Foreign Service Trainees work and train in Washington, D.C. as civil service employees for an average of 18 to 36 months, followed by conversion to the Foreign Service/assignment to an overseas post. Those who demonstrate the needed competencies will be commissioned into the Foreign Service and can look forward to professional careers with increasing rank and responsibility, averaging 25 years. Additional information can be found here: https://www.fas.usda.gov/fas-foreign-service-careers-1.

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.

The duties may include, but are not limited to

Works effectively with other FAS program areas and other agencies.

FSO Trainees undergo comprehensive training while stationed in Washington, DC, where they participate in and complete all components of their training program under the guidance of their supervisors.

The duties described represent the expectations at the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments may entail a narrower scope, require less autonomy, and involve less complexity.

Administer market development and credit guarantee programs; develop and implement agricultural trade missions and trade shows; and cultivate productive working relationships with domestic agricultural industry groups.

Coordinate and devise a global agricultural commodity analysis strategy, furnishing timely dependable market insights on production, consumption, trade, stock, and price data.

Conduct analyses of market conditions, governmental policies, and commercial practices to furnish policy makers with actionable insights supporting USDA export programs, trade policies, and market access endeavors.

Draft various documents including correspondence, briefing materials, market profiles, and background information pertinent to agricultural trade.

Identify, monitor, and contribute to removal or mitigation of agricultural tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade, along with technical, sanitary, and phytosanitary barriers. Provide support for market access initiatives through policy analysis.

Participate in the monitoring of USDA trade promotion and food assistance programs.

Contribute to the formulation of strategies to administer these initiatives. Implement development activities aimed at advancing trade and food security objectives.

Develop long-term trade strategies to address evolving trade policies.