The USDA – Agricultural Marketing Service is partnering with Agriculture Future of America (AFA) to hire recent graduates to join a diverse group of 4,000 professionals across the country who apply their knowledge and skills to create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber and specialty crops, helping ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food and a wide range of goods.
AMS will be conducting an onsite application acceptance event at the 2024 AFA Leaders Conference. Interested applicants can apply on-site at the AFA Leaders Conference Opportunity Fair or online through USAJobs. Please review the available positions and application instructions below.
Pathways Recent Graduates
Are you graduating in December 2024 or June 2025? The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is for those who have graduated within the past two years or soon-to-be graduates from qualifying educational institution or certificate program. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation have up to six years after degree completion to apply.
The application period for all positions will be open between November 7 – 15, 2024.
Recent Graduate Positions
- Warehouse Examiner - Enid, OK
- Agricultural Marketing Specialist (General) - Washington, DC
- Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Specialist (Regulatory) - Washington, DC
- Auditor (Financial) - Des Moines, IA; Aurora, CO
- Agricultural Marketing Specialist (Regulatory) - Des Moines, IA; Aurora, CO; Atlanta, GA
Pathway Student Trainee Positions
- Pathways Student Trainee Auditing (Internship) - Des Moines, IA; Aurora, CO
- Pathways Student Trainee Marketing (Internship) - Des Moines, IA; Aurora, CO; Atlanta, GA
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply on-site at the AFA Leaders Conference Opportunity Fair or online through USAJobs. To apply in-person at the 2024 AFA Leaders Conference interested applicants can submit a copy of the following documents to a USDA AMS staffing specialist during the opportunity fair.
- Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.
- College Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the following: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
Veterans
- If claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
- If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS