Excel in Agricultural Finance: Become a Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural) with the USDA Farm Service Agency

American agriculture is the backbone of the nation's economy, food security, and rural heritage. Facilitating the financial strength of this sector is the Farm Service Agency (FSA), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FSA is currently seeking a visionary leader to step into the role of Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural) at the GS-13 grade level.

This high-impact position is designed for financial professionals who possess deep expertise in agricultural operations, risk management, and team leadership. Operating within the Farm Loan Program Branch of the New York State Office, the successful candidate will play a critical role in directing and overseeing farm loan programs across USDA Service Centers. If you are passionate about helping farmers thrive, guiding a talented team, and managing a complex financial portfolio, this opportunity offers a rewarding path with a robust federal benefits package.

---

About the Agency: The Farm Service Agency (FSA)

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is dedicated to equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners. Through the implementation of vital farm conservation, commodity, disaster assistant, and credit programs, the FSA ensures a steady, safe, and abundant food supply while fostering economic stability in rural communities.

Working for the FSA means joining a collaborative, diverse, and mission-driven workforce. Employees enjoy a supportive workplace culture that values work-life balance, professional growth, and direct public service. Managing farm credit in the state of New York offers a unique landscape; New York is home to a highly diverse agricultural sector, ranging from dairy and livestock operations to fruit orchards, vineyards, and specialized organic crop production. Leading the credit programs here allows you to engage directly with the evolving financial needs of modern American agriculture.

---

Job Responsibilities

As a Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural), your primary objective is to manage, direct, and evaluate the delivery of agricultural credit programs. You will serve as a senior technical authority on complex loan applications, servicing procedures, and state-level policy decisions.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Program Oversight & Management: Directing, evaluating, and advising on the implementation of farm loan programs administered through USDA Service Centers across New York.
• Policy Implementation: Developing, refining, and recommending state-specific guidelines that clarify national USDA lending policies, ensuring they fit the local agricultural landscape.
• Credit Authority & Loan Approval: Exercising delegated loan approval authority for highly complex agricultural credit cases, assessing borrower capacity, collateral values, and feasibility plans.
• Technical Leadership & Collaboration: Providing ongoing technical guidance to field office staff, fostering cooperation among private lenders, state agricultural agencies, and non-profit organizations.
• Staff Supervision: Managing a team of agricultural loan specialists, conducting performance appraisals, and facilitating professional development in federal agricultural finance policies.

---

Requirements & Qualifications

This is a senior-level GS-13 position. Candidates must satisfy strict educational, background, and specialized experience requirements to be considered for this competitive opportunity.

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Background Checks: Subject to a satisfactory background investigation, fingerprint check, and suitability adjudication.
• Probationary Period: A one-year supervisory probationary period is required unless prior creditable service has been completed. New supervisors must also complete the mandatory FPAC supervisor training program within their first year.
• Financial Disclosure: Due to the nature of federal lending authority, you must submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (Form OGE-450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-13 grade level, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in federal service. This experience can be gained in either public or private sectors.

Specialized experience must demonstrate:

• Direct competence in underwriting, structuring, and servicing agricultural loans.
• Experience reviewing and passing judgment on complex credit applications for diverse agricultural business entities, including partnerships, corporations, and joint-ventures.
• Broad knowledge of farm management, crop and livestock production, local soil/land values, and commodity pricing.
• The ability to evaluate obscure financial data, project cash flows, and assess risk in complex agricultural enterprises.

Note: This position requires 'Agricultural Loan Approval Authority' for the GS-13 grade level. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of this authority within 7 days of receiving a Tentative Job Offer (TJO).

---

Supervisory Loan Specialist vs. Commercial Loan Officer

To understand how this specialized USDA position compares to standard commercial banking roles, review the comparative summary below:

Feature	FSA Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural)	Commercial Bank Agricultural Lender
Primary Mission	Public service, rural development, and supporting family farms.	Maximizing shareholder returns and corporate profitability.
Target Client Base	Family farms, beginning farmers, and underserved agricultural producers.	Established commercial agribusinesses meeting high credit thresholds.
Role Complexity	Focuses heavily on federal policy compliance, state-specific directives, and complex farm servicing.	Focused primarily on market-driven interest rates, competitive product portfolios, and sales targets.
Key Authority	Authorized federal lending limits under USDA guidelines.	Authorized credit limits established by corporate bank boards.
Performance Metrics	Program reach, portfolio quality, and regulatory compliance.	Loan volume, fee generation, and portfolio yield.

---

Salary & Federal Benefits

Joining the Federal Civil Service comes with a highly competitive and secure compensation package. The salary for this GS-13 position ranges from $106,437 to $163,062 per year, depending on qualifications and the final duty location selected within New York.

In addition to salary, the Farm Service Agency offers an outstanding suite of benefits:

• Work-Life Balance: Telework flexibility and alternative work schedules (such as compressed workweeks) designed to support your life outside of work.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, alongside long-term care options and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Retirement Security: Enrolment in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a defined benefit pension plan and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
• Paid Time Off: Generous accrual of vacation leave, separate sick leave with no accrual limit, and 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Incentives: Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

---

Application Tips for Success

To ensure your application transitions successfully from the USAJobs platform to the hiring manager’s desk, keep these critical tips in mind:

1. Adhere to the Strict Page Limit: Your resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes that are longer than two pages will be excluded immediately without review. Condense your experience, focusing on high-impact duties, and remove repetitive phrasing.
2. Quantify Your Agricultural Expertise: Do not just state that you managed loans. Explain the scale: "Managed a $40M agricultural portfolio consisting of dairy and crop operations; assessed complex crop yields and partnership tax structures."
3. Prepare for the USA Hire Assessments: Once you submit your application, you will receive an email containing a link to the USA Hire assessments. Set aside 1-2 hours in a quiet space to complete this. These tests evaluate your problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and decisiveness. You have a strict 48-hour window after the job closes to complete it.
4. Double-Check Your Documents: Make sure your transcripts, SF-50 (if applicable), and performance evaluations are completely legible. Non-readable or encrypted documents will lead to disqualification.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where will I be working if selected?

The duty location is negotiable within the state of New York after selection. The selected candidate will manage and direct loan operations within designated USDA Service Centers across the state.

Can I apply if I do not currently have Agricultural Loan Approval Authority?

You must be able to prove that you possess or can quickly obtain Agricultural Loan Approval Authority at the GS-13 level. If selected, you will be required to provide physical proof of this authority within 7 days of your tentative job offer.

How long does the online assessment take?

The USA Hire online assessment takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. You can pause and resume the test using your unique link, but it must be completed before the assessment window closes, which is 48 hours after the job post closing date.

What are the federal hiring paths for this announcement?

This position is open to current and former federal employees under the "Internal to an agency" hiring path, as well as those qualifying under career transition programs like CTAP, ICTAP, and RPL.

---

Serving as a Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural) with the USDA Farm Service Agency is more than just a career in finance; it is a direct investment in the success of New York's vital farming communities. With competitive pay, unparalleled federal benefits, and a mission-driven team, this role offers a fulfilling next step for senior agricultural lending professionals. Ensure your resume is polished, under the two-page limit, and submitted before the closing date of September 14, 2026 to be considered for this prestigious leadership position.