Program Analyst

Summary

You will serve as a data analyst responsible for compiling, analyzing, and reporting large volumes of data using specialized software and other analytics and statistical platforms. The position supplements the market news reporter function by integrating all functional areas of cotton and tobacco for broader, strategic analytical reporting of current and historical data.

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Duties

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• 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:
• Creates charts, graphs, and tables from historical data series for analysis and inclusion in publications and reports.
• Locates and download datasets and compile them for use by the Market News Division.
• Assists Area Reporters in the establishment of spot quotations by summarizing price data as directed by management.
• Uses Excel to create charts, tables, graphs, and as a data source.
• Assist division employees in developing analysis and visualizations using new and existing data sets.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of a one-year trial period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years.

OR

• Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met.

TRANSCRIPTS are required.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE: Applicants must also meet the following specialized experience and/or education requirements listed below:

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience using an internet browser to search, locate and download various data sets.
• Experience creating charts, graphs and tables from historical data series for analysis and inclusion in publications and reports.
• Experience writing and/or editing correspondence, reports and/or publications.

OR 1 academic year of graduate education in Business Management, Business/ Public Administration, Human Resources or in a related field or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience using data analytics software in order to analyze data, develop reports and to create visualizations and/or dashboards.
• Experience using web-based systems in order to perform duties, to provide guidance and to assist the administrators with troubleshooting problems.
• Experience using Microsoft Office to format in Microsoft Word and Publisher utilizing columns, placement of charts and graphs created in Microsoft Excel and integration of tables converted into a word document.

OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in Business Management, Business/ Public Administration, Human Resources or in a related field or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVELS: 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 an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Experiencerefers 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.

Transcripts including the date your degree was conferred are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation. For those graduating this semester by 09/15/2026, you will have to provide proof of conferment prior to entrance on duty.

Additional information

• Recent Graduate appointments are intended to last for 1 year. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the USDA Recent Graduates Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed. Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position.
• If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty.
• A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be authorized.
• A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• Selection will be at GS-0343-07 or GS-0343-09 with the possibility of conversion to a term or permanent position, with promotion potential to the GS-11 level. Conversion eligibility and position is not guaranteed and depends upon the program unit's needs.

CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS Recent Graduates may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. To be eligible for conversion the Recent Graduate must meet all of the following:

• Successfully complete at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program as outlined in the Participant Agreement.
• Demonstrate successful job performance.
• Meet the qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.