Loan Assistant/Specialist (Agricultural)
Farm Service Agency · Department of Agriculture
This job in plain English
The Farm Service Agency in Illinois is hiring Loan Assistants or Specialists to help a Farm Loan Manager run farm loan programs at USDA Service Centers. There are 3 positions, and the exact county location in Illinois is decided after selection. The job includes on-the-job and classroom training, and occasional travel may be required.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Displaced federal employeesFederal employees who lost or are losing their job through a reduction in force (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.
The job is open to the public. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, or owe allegiance to the U.S. Federal employees eligible under CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP get selection priority if they meet all requirements.
What you would do
- Interview loan applicants and review their loan applications.
- Give credit counseling and technical advice to applicants and borrowers.
- Apply agency farm loan program rules and eligibility requirements.
- Use knowledge of farm finance, crops, livestock, land values, and markets.
- Complete on-the-job and classroom training in farm loan administration.
Do you qualify for GS-7 to GS-11?
With experience: For GS-7, you need one year of specialized experience equal to GS-5 level, such as reviewing agricultural loan applications or servicing an agricultural loan portfolio, plus basic knowledge of farm operations and markets. For GS-9 and GS-11, the experience must be more advanced agricultural loan work, and GS-11 also requires knowledge of farm financing and credit.
With education: For GS-7, one full year of graduate study in a related field, or a combination of education and experience, can qualify you. Superior academic achievement also counts, such as top third of your class, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, or honor society membership. For GS-9, you need a master's degree or 2 full years of graduate study. For GS-11, you need a Ph.D. or 3 full years of graduate study. Related fields include finance, business, economics, accounting, and agriculture.
Licenses and certifications you need:
- Agricultural Loan Approval Authority (required for GS-11; proof due within 7 days of a tentative job offer)
How to apply well
What to send:
- Resume up to 2 pages with name, contact information, education, and work history
- Resume must show hours worked per week, dates of employment, title, series, and grade
- College transcripts if you qualify through education (unofficial copy is fine at first)
- Certificate showing foreign school accreditation, if any education was completed abroad
- DD-214 if claiming veterans' preference, plus SF-15 for 10-point preference
- Separation notice, SF-50, and recent performance appraisal if claiming CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority
How you will be rated: Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, then complete an application questionnaire and USA Hire online assessments that rate competencies such as attention to detail, customer service, and teamwork. You must meet the assessment cut score to be considered, and qualified applicants are placed in Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified categories. Overstating your experience or cheating on an assessment can get you removed.
Tips for this job:
- Make your resume show hours per week and exact dates for each job, and keep it to 2 pages or fewer.
- If you use education to qualify, get transcripts ready with course numbers, titles, credit hours, and grades.
- For GS-11, have proof of Agricultural Loan Approval Authority ready, since it is due within 7 days of a tentative offer.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time. The agency mentions flexible hours and work schedules.
Incentives and relocation: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed.
Conditions of employment:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
- Background check and possible fingerprint check
- 1-year probationary period
- Direct deposit of federal pay required
- Must pass the E-Verify employment check
- Must file Form OGE-450 financial disclosure within 30 days of start, then yearly
- Must be able to obtain and keep a security clearance
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $50,460 – $97,087 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- GS-7 to GS-11 · General Schedule
- Location
- Location Negotiable After Selection
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Competitive
- Openings
- 3
- Security clearance
- Other
- Travel
- Occasional travel
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- Loan Specialist (1165)
- Announcement
- FSA -27-13101811-DE-IL-WS
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