Summary This position is located in a State or Area Office in USDA/Rural Development (RD). It is a developmental position with duties designed for advancement to the next level of Loan Assistant, GS-1165-7, with full potential to higher-level Loan Specialist positions. This position may be eligible for hiring incentives. This position is neither remote nor virtual. The employee will be expected to report in person to the assigned duty location as listed. Responsibilities Reviews loan applications for completeness and conformance with all Rural Development requirements; analyzes and inputs data into appropriate automated database systems. Analyzes financial and credit data documents to make sound eligibility, feasibility, and credit-worthiness determinations on program application. Prepares as applicable, conditional commitment, funding commitment and notification of loan closing, and certificate of eligibility and either approves or submits to approving official. Reviews file for completeness and compliance with all prescribed regulations and practices before loan closing; prepares draft loan closing documents and review with applicant at the time of loan approval. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. For GS-05 Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess (3) years of general experience, one of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service performing work in support of loan making and/or servicing duties such as providing information to applicants, inputting information into automated systems, and preparing files and reports - or - work experience that demonstrated and/or developed a knowledge of the principles of financial analysis, or insurance laws such as contract, property, life, casualty or marine insurance. OR Bachelor's degree in a related field such as finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, etc. OR 4 full years of progressively higher-level education leading to such a degree. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. For GS-07 Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Basic knowledge of loan examining and/or servicing principles, procedures and techniques as they apply to investigation, analysis, and evaluation of financial factors and credit risks in relation to the granting and servicing of mortgage loans. Experience may have been gained in work equivalent to furnishing general information concerning loan programs, loan eligibility requirements, or financial and credit requirements; reviewing loan applications for eligibility and financial soundness; and analyzing information provided by loan applicants and making recommendations to a higher-level loan specialist about loan eligibility. OR Completion of one full year of graduate level education OR Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on completed courses. 2. Grade-point average - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed bases on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. 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. 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. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP 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/ICTAP 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. 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). 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. One of the following incentives may be offered: - Student Loan Repayment incentive. - Relocation incentive. - Recruitment incentive. - Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual incentive. - Superior Qualifications Appointment. This is a Bargaining Unit position under AFGE LOCAL 3499 Bargaining Unit 1937 and is therefore eligible for labor organization representation. 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.