Actively Recruiting: Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural) in Concord, New Hampshire

American agriculture remains the backbone of our nation’s economy, ensuring food security, environmental stewardship, and the vitality of rural communities. Driving this essential industry forward requires more than just fertile soil and favorable weather; it demands robust financial architecture and capital access. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is at the heart of this mission, providing crucial safety nets and credit programs to farmers and ranchers across the country.

A premier federal career opportunity is now open for an experienced financial professional to join the USDA FSA as a Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural) in Concord, New Hampshire. This GS-12 position is a vital leadership role that bridges credit risk management with community service, offering a unique chance to lead a team of agricultural credit experts while directly impacting the local farming landscape.

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About the Agency: The Farm Service Agency

The Farm Service Agency is dedicated to helping agricultural producers secure the financing they need to start, expand, or sustain their operations. From family-owned dairies to sprawling crop operations, the FSA provides direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to those who might not qualify for traditional commercial financing.

Working for the FSA means being part of an agency that highly values its personnel. The workplace culture is collaborative, mission-driven, and highly supportive of work-life balance. By choosing a career with the USDA, you will enjoy a friendly and professional environment characterized by diverse perspectives, schedule flexibility, and a commitment to employee wellness. Operating out of the New Hampshire State Office in Concord, you will oversee program delivery across several counties in a state known for its vibrant local food movements and diverse agricultural operations.

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Job Responsibilities

As a Supervisory Loan Specialist, you will act as the primary technical authority for Farm Loan Programs within your designated service area. This means you are the local expert and leader responsible for the technical soundness, legal compliance, and overall performance of the agricultural loan portfolio. Your key duties will include:

• Determining Loan Eligibility: Collaborating with committees, commercial lenders, and other federal and state agencies to review and evaluate complex loan proposals, ensuring they are feasible and meet regulatory guidelines.
• Managing Sensitive Portfolios: Directing and reviewing high-risk cases that may involve restructuring, liquidations, foreclosures, or bankruptcy proceedings to minimize risk and resolve outstanding obligations responsibly.
• Exercising Approval Authority: Approving or disapproving agricultural loan applications and servicing requests within your delegated authority limits, or escalating complex actions when appropriate.
• Supervising and Mentoring Staff: Leading a dedicated team of loan officers, evaluating their credit decisions for technical compliance, and guiding their professional growth.
• Fostering Community Partnerships: Maintaining positive relationships with local agricultural producers, land-grant colleges, cooperative extensions, regional lenders, and rural community organizations to promote FSA loan options.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for this highly sought-after GS-12 leadership position, applicants must meet specific federal requirements. First and foremost, you must be a U.S. Citizen or National and pass a background investigation, credit check, and fingerprinting. Additionally, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service or show proof of exemption.

Experience and Technical Credentials

Candidates must show at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service. This experience must demonstrate professional competence in agricultural lending and portfolio management. Specifically, your background must reflect:

• Experience evaluating and deciding on complex loans representing diverse ownership models (e.g., sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations).
• Hands-on management and servicing of an agricultural loan portfolio, showcasing knowledge of farm financing, land valuations, and livestock or crop production.
• Thorough familiarity with crop and livestock prices, regional farming markets, and local agricultural land values.

Note: This position has no formal educational requirement. However, a strong academic background in finance, agricultural economics, business administration, or farm management is highly beneficial.

Agricultural Loan Approval Authority

A critical condition of employment is that you must possess or be ready to obtain Agricultural Loan Approval Authority at the GS-12 grade level. If selected, you will be required to submit formal verification of this authority within seven days of accepting a tentative job offer.

Crucial Application Guideline: The Two-Page Resume Limit

To ensure fair and efficient processing of applicants, the agency enforces a strict two-page limit for all resumes. If your resume exceeds two pages, you will be disqualified from consideration immediately. Focus your resume on high-impact achievements, specialized agricultural credit experience, and leadership roles, ensuring every word serves a purpose.

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Salary and Benefits Overview

This position offers competitive compensation and a world-class federal benefits package designed to support you throughout your career and into retirement.

Locality-Adjusted Salary

The annual salary for this GS-12 position ranges from $101,375 to $131,790. This salary includes the locality pay adjustment for the Concord, New Hampshire region and reflects standard step progression schedules established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a three-tier retirement plan consisting of a guaranteed pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a premier 401(k)-style plan offering up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Health and Life Insurance: Access to a broad selection of health insurance plans (FEHB) with major employer contributions, as well as dental, vision, long-term care insurance, and federal life insurance (FEGLI).
• Paid Time Off: Accrual of generous annual leave (for vacation and personal use) and sick leave, along with 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Telework & Flexibility: This role is eligible for telework and flexible work schedules, helping you balance professional duties with personal responsibilities.

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Comparison Table: Candidate Qualifications vs. Core Job Functions

Use this comparison table to align your current professional skills with the responsibilities expected in this GS-12 federal position:

Candidate Qualifications (GS-12 Level)	Core Job Functions & Deliverables	Expected Impact on FSA Operations
Agricultural Credit Experience	Reviews complex loans for corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietors.	Ensures high-quality, legally compliant lending decisions.
Problem Solving & Risk Mitigation	Oversees distressed assets, restructures, bankruptcies, and liquidations.	Minimizes loan defaults and guides struggling farmers to financial stability.
Supervisory & Team Leadership	Directs local USDA Service Centers and evaluates staff credit recommendations.	Promotes a high-performing, technically sound credit team.
Strategic Communications	Partners with agricultural producers, land-grant colleges, and commercial banks.	Boosts community awareness and utilization of federal farm credit.

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Strategic Application Tips

Applying for a federal job is significantly different from applying for roles in the private sector. Follow these guidelines to optimize your application package:

1. Tailor Your Resume to the GS-11/12 Competencies: Ensure your two-page resume clearly highlights your knowledge of farm credit, crop/livestock prices, and land valuation. Use active verbs and quantify your achievements (e.g., "managed a $15M loan portfolio containing 50+ active agricultural borrowers").
2. Include All Necessary SF-50s: If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your most recent non-award SF-50. Ensure the document verifies your highest grade held on a permanent basis, position series, and competitive status.
3. Prepare for a Structured Interview: The agency uses a panel-based structured interview to rate candidates. Prepare examples utilizing the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) focusing on customer service, leadership, oral communication, and analytical problem solving.
4. Double-Check Your Documents: Ensure all uploaded PDFs or Word documents are unencrypted and under 5MB. Do not submit Adobe Portfolio files, as they cannot be viewed by the federal hiring system.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is eligible to apply for this position?

This position is open to current agency employees (internal merit promotion) and individuals eligible under federal career transition pathways, such as the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and the Reemployment Priority List (RPL).

2. Can I use education to qualify for this GS-12 role?

There is no formal educational requirement for this GS-12 position. Qualification is determined by your specialized experience at the GS-11 equivalent level. However, relevant coursework in finance or agriculture will support your technical credit profile.

3. What is the policy regarding the two-page resume limit?

This is a strict administrative limit. Any applicant whose resume exceeds exactly two pages will be disqualified without further evaluation.

4. What is Agricultural Loan Approval Authority?

This is a formal credential granting a credit officer the legal authority to approve federal farm loans. Applicants must be prepared to submit proof of this authority within 7 days of receiving a tentative job offer.

5. Is relocation assistance available for this position?

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized at the discretion of the agency leadership, though they are not guaranteed.

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If you are a finance professional with a passion for agriculture and a track record of supervisory excellence, the Supervisory Loan Specialist (Agricultural) role with the USDA Farm Service Agency in Concord, New Hampshire, represents an extraordinary step forward in your career. By taking on this challenge, you will direct essential lending resources, support local farmers, and lead a dedicated team of public servants. Review the strict application requirements, refine your resume to the two-page limit, and submit your application package to step into this high-impact federal leadership role.