Navigating the GS-15 Senior Policy Advisor Position at USDA Rural Development

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking a qualified, highly analytical federal leader to serve as a Senior Policy Advisor (GS-15) within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), specifically under the Assistant Administrator for Telecommunications. Operating within a high-impact environment, this executive-level advisor plays an essential role in driving the policies that expand high-speed internet, broadband infrastructure, and modern communications systems across rural America.

With multiple duty location options across the United States—including Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Utah—this position offers top-tier federal pay ($147,945 to $192,331 per year), extensive healthcare and retirement benefits, and flexible working arrangements. Below is a comprehensive guide to understanding the role, meeting qualification standards, and submitting a winning application.

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About the Agency: USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity and enhancing the quality of life for residents across rural America. Managing a portfolio of over 80 loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs, the agency delivers critical investments in housing, community facilities, business development, and essential utility infrastructure.

Within Rural Development, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages modern utility programs, focusing on water and wastewater systems, electric grids, and telecommunications networks. The Telecommunications Program works directly to eliminate the digital divide by delivering funding for broadband expansion, distance learning, and telemedicine infrastructure in underserved rural towns and tribal lands.

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Core Responsibilities of the Senior Policy Advisor

As a GS-15 Senior Policy Advisor, you will serve as a chief authority advising the Assistant Administrator of the Telecommunications Program on high-level operational, regulatory, and policy strategies. Key responsibilities include:

• Executive Policy Guidance: Advising senior leaders on the design, formulation, and deployment of telecommunications initiatives and national broadband projects.
• Program Innovation: Assessing existing and proposed utility policy models to boost stakeholder engagement and ensure efficient deployment of public capital.
• Briefing & Reporting: Preparing executive briefings, white papers, and detailed technical reports for the Secretary of Agriculture, the White House, and Members of Congress.
• Legislative Oversight: Analyzing emerging industry trends, court rulings, statutory changes, and federal regulations to evaluate their operational impacts on USDA broadband programs.
• Accountability Systems: Designing and directing sophisticated tracking frameworks to evaluate telecommunications program performance and regulatory compliance.

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Mandatory Qualifications & Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for this GS-15 career opportunity, candidates must meet specific federal eligibility criteria by the closing date of the job announcement.

1. Who May Apply

This vacancy is restricted to:

• Current permanent employees of the Department of Agriculture (internal agency search).
• Eligible surplus or displaced federal employees applying through the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL).

2. Time-in-Grade Requirement

Current federal employees applying for promotion must have completed at least 52 weeks of continuous service at the GS-14 level (or non-federal equivalent).

3. Specialized Experience

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level. Recognized specialized experience includes:

• Defining strategic goals and operational objectives in response to statutory or administrative changes.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of broad-scale organizational policies and practices.
• Advising executive leadership on complex broadband or telecommunications principles.
• Conducting legislative and regulatory analysis to forecast programmatic impacts.
• Building and managing tracking systems to maintain policy accountability.

Note: Education substitution is not permitted at the GS-15 level. Qualifications are based strictly on specialized professional experience.

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Position Summary & Location Overview

Attribute	Details
Position Title	Senior Policy Advisor
Pay Plan / Grade	GS-15
Salary Range	$147,945 – $192,331 per year
Duty Locations	Fort Collins (CO), Indianapolis (IN), Kansas City (MO), Saint Louis (MO), Raleigh (NC), Fort Worth (TX), Salt Lake City (UT)
Position Schedule	Full-Time, Permanent
Telework Eligibility	Yes (as determined by agency policy)
Security Clearance	Not Required (Moderate Risk / Public Trust)
Travel Requirement	Not Required / Occasional

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Key Benefits for Federal Employees

Appointees to this GS-15 position enjoy standard federal executive benefits, including:

1. Competitive Compensation: Step progression within the GS-15 pay band.
2. Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance (FEHB) options with agency contributions, plus voluntary Dental (FEDVIP), Vision, and Long-Term Care Insurance.
3. Retirement Plans: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension combined with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) featuring up to 5% government match.
4. Work-Life Balance: Paid annual vacation leave, earned sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and telework flexibility.
5. Flexible Spending Accounts: FSAFEDS options for healthcare and dependent care costs.

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Critical Application Tips: The 2-Page Resume Rule

Applying for USDA opportunities requires careful adherence to formatting instructions. Failure to follow these instructions will result in immediate disqualification:

• CRITICAL 2-PAGE RESUME LIMIT: Your resume must not exceed two pages. If your resume is three pages or longer, it will be automatically removed from consideration without review.
• Include Mandatory Resume Details: Specify exact dates of employment (MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY), official position title, grade level/series (if federal), and exact weekly work hours.
• USA Hire Assessment: After submitting your online package via USAJOBS, monitor your inbox for an invitation to complete the online USA Hire Assessment. You must complete this assessment within the assigned 48-hour window.
• Required Supporting Documents:
  • Non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) demonstrating competitive status and highest grade held.
  • Official performance appraisal dated within the last 18 months, showing an overall rating of record signed by a supervisor.
  • CTAP/RPL documentation (if applicable).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit a multi-page federal resume?

No. For this specific announcement, resumes exceeding two pages will be automatically disqualified. Focus on conciseness, impact, and direct alignment with GS-15 specialized experience.

Is this position eligible for remote work?

This position is eligible for telework according to agency guidelines, but it is not listed as a 100% remote position. Selected candidates are expected to report to their designated official duty station as required.

How will my application be evaluated?

Applications are evaluated based on your resume content, submitted documentation, responses to the occupational questionnaire, and performance on the USA Hire online assessments. Candidates are assessed across core competencies including Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Influencing/Negotiating, Reasoning, and Customer Service.

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The GS-15 Senior Policy Advisor role at USDA Rural Development represents a vital leadership opportunity for experienced telecommunications policy experts. By shaping national policy, supporting major broadband projects, and providing executive guidance to leadership, you can make a lasting contribution to rural communities across the United States. Ensure your application materials strictly follow the two-page resume rule and submit your complete package prior to the deadline.