Summary This position is located within the State or Area Office of USDA Rural Development (RD). The incumbent approves and services loans for small (one to four family) residential dwellings. This position is neither remote nor virtual. The employee will be expected to report in person to the assigned duty location. This vacancy announcement is open to current Rural Development State of Puerto Rico employees only. Responsibilities Serves as senior staff specialist for the state on Single family Housing loans. Conducts or directs special studies of program activities and problems. Participates in developing and implementing annual and longer-term program plans and targets for the state. Develops training programs for partners, packagers, self-help personnel, etc., and oversees/participates in training on RD and related requirements and on community development principles and practices. Shares responsibility with superior in planning, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating statewide rural housing program operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. GS-11: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience includes evaluating financial situations, credit risk factors and researching and applying various laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to credit; experience in reviewing and evaluating loan and/or grant applications to determine eligibility and the approval/disapproval of housing loan applications; experience providing loan closing instructions to attorneys and title companies and with legal instruments and documents used in making and servicing housing loans; Conducts on-site inspections to determine whether a property is occupied, etc. Evaluates repair proposals and property values for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, directives, etc., and for overall feasibility and soundness of economic factors. Ensure required environmental assessments are conducted and meet requirements. Reviews for approvals of repair project costs. OR Ph. D or equivalent doctoral degree. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study-finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. GS-12: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Serves as primary state expert loan specialist on the housing program staff of a USDA Rural Development State Office. Under the direction of the Single-Family Housing Program Director, designs, implements, and evaluates assigned housing programs for the geographic areas encompassed in the responsibilities of the Area Office. The incumbent conducts studies; develops state-wide directives, systems, and procedures; and participates with managers in developing and effecting outreach and marketing efforts and in evaluating program effectiveness primarily for the single-family housing (SFH) program. Serves as expert staff resource for program. Coordinates the work of a small group of loan specialists and technicians in a geographic area (Area Office) and provides leadership, oversight and mentoring. Actively participates in efforts to coordinate RD programs at the local level and to ensure there is a cohesive system of service delivery to rural America. Maintains an awareness of public and private programs and resources that could further community and housing development and help meet the needs of RD customers. There is no substitution of education at this grade level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-1165 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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 A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP 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 applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. To be eligible for appointment to this position, the new hire must be cleared to come on board once the results of the fingerprint check, review of the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and the candidate's Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) entries have been reviewed and determined to be satisfactory. This position requires a favorable credit check as part of the background investigation. If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. 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. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.