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Careers at Rural Development
How do you make change in the world? Join the team that’s investing in a strong future for the people of Rural America.
USDA Rural Development, with local leaders and partners, invests in rural America with grants and re-lending programs to promote growth and prosperity in rural communities.
USDA Rural Development offers competitive pay, along with a strong commitment to your professional growth. We provide training, coaching, and flexible schedules to help you thrive. Benefits include retirement savings and investment plans, health and life insurance, supplemental dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, accrued leave programs, paid family leave, and Federal holidays.
When you’re a part of USDA Rural Development, you’re part of an organization that puts rural people and rural communities first.
Rural Development Network
Rural Development Job Opportunities
Why Work for Us
Salaries and Benefits
We provide competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes paid vacation, sick leave, health coverage and retirement plans, thrift savings plans, life and long-term care insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
Work Life Balance
We offer a number of programs aimed to help you achieve work/life balance including health and wellness programs, employee assistance programs, alternate workplace arrangements, and flexible work schedules.
Various Career Paths
Working at Rural Development you can explore career paths such as: Loan Specialists, Loan Technicians, General Business and Industry, Miscellaneous Administration and Program, Information Technology, Human Resources, Management Analyst, Accountants, and many other exciting career paths. To explore a full range of careers, visit Careers with Rural Development.
Loan Specialists, GS-1165
Positions in this occupation typically approve and service loans for various loan and grant programs administered by RD. Some positions may supervise or guide others doing this work.
Loan Technicians, GS-1101
Positions in this occupation typically provide technical and clerical support for various loan and grant programs administered by RD.
Other Positions in the General Business and Industry Series, GS-1101
Positions in this occupational series advise on, administer, supervise or do work in finance, loan, grant and other business functions in RD.
Miscellaneous Administration and Program, GS-0301
Positions in this occupational series perform, supervise or otherwise manage work requiring analytical ability, judgment, discretion, and knowledge of a substantial body of administrative or program principles, concepts, policies, and objectives.
Information Technology, GS-2210
Positions in this occupation manage, supervise, lead, administer, develop, deliver, and support information technology (IT) systems and services.
Human Resources, GS-0201
Positions in this occupation manage, supervise, administer, advise on, or deliver human resources management products or services.
Management Analyst/ Program Analyst/Management and Program Analyst, GS-0343
Positions in this occupational series serve as analysts and advisors to management on the evaluation of programs and operations within RD.
Accountants, GS-0510
Positions in this occupation administer, supervise, or perform accounting work that requires application of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and standards to the financial activities within a government organization.
Who Can Apply
Many qualified individuals can find fulfilling careers in government service! All U.S. citizens and nationals are eligible to apply for careers with Rural Development. Some positions have specific experience or education requirements, but we offer programs for qualified individuals to help get their foot in the door. Below you’ll find additional information about those programs, or visit www.usajobs.gov for more information.
Veterans
Special hiring authorities like the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act or positions with veterans preference give you a competitive edge.
Find out more information by visiting the Feds Hire Vets website
Military Spouse
Military spouses who meets certain criteria may be non-competitively appointed to any position in the competitive service for which he or she is qualified. Find out more information by visiting Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses & Family Members.
Individuals with Disabilities
Qualified individuals with disabilities may be eligible for non-competitive hiring through the Schedule A Hiring Authority.
Find out more information by visiting OPM’s Disability and Employment website
Student and Recent Graduate Programs
Looking to launch your federal career? There are student and recent college graduate opportunities that offer valuable training and development opportunities. Find out more information by visiting:
- Pathways Internship, Recent Graduate and Presidential Management Fellow Programs
- USDA 1890 National Scholars Program| USDA
- USDA 1994 National Scholars Program - Tribal College Program | USDA
- Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP)
- Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
- International Leadership Foundation (ILF)
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund Internship Program
- Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences Internship Program
Former Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni
Individuals who satisfactorily completed the required service with the Peace Corp or Individuals who successfully served 12 months in AmeriCorps VISTA can be non-competitively appointed to a position for which they are qualified. Find out more information by visiting Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA.
How to Apply
Visit the USAJobs website to search for available positions and review the How to Apply section of each job announcement to review the next steps of the application process, including deadlines and required documents.
Application Process
- Create a USAJobs profile and search for available jobs.
- Review the Job Announcement
- Prepare and submit your Application to Agency
- Agency Reviews your Application and determines Qualifications
- Hiring Manager reviews qualified applications and selects applicants to interview based on agency policy
- Candidate is selected and contacted to start the job offer process. At this time, a tentative job offer will be extended. After the tentative job offer is accepted, the agency will start the background investigation.
- Once the background investigation is completed, a final job offer is extended to the candidate with a start date.
Hiring Tools
Hiring Options - Outreach Flyer
Opciones de contratación - Folleto de divulgación
We are Hiring - Outreach Flyer
Estamos contratando - Folleto de divulgación
Disability Employment - Outreach Flyer
Applying for a Federal Job in USAJOBS
What to Include in your Federal Resume
Structured Interviews, Hiring Manager Interview, and How do I create structured interview questions?
Additional Resources
Finding and Applying for Jobs with the Federal Government
Most federal agencies use USAJOBS to host job openings and match qualified applicants to those jobs. USAJOBS serves as the central place to find opportunities in hundreds of federal agencies and organizations. View these videos to gain a better understand on how to apply for jobs and start building your federal resume.