United States Department of Agriculture

Career Opportunities

As the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, our mission is to provide timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture. NASS is the official source of comprehensive, current information on the farms, ranches, and people who provide food, feed, and fiber to our nation and the world.

Who We Are

We are a diverse team of professionals from many different geographic areas and academic backgrounds. Some have in-depth knowledge and training in statistics and mathematics, others have statistics and math course work but majored in other fields. NASS staff are largely statisticians, mathematicians, and computer scientists and other information technology specialists. Our staff also includes economists, geographers, managers, and administrative, budget, and communications professionals.

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What We Do

We collect, assemble, analyze, and disseminate up-to-date, comprehensive data about U.S. agriculture. We conduct more than 400 weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual surveys each year in order to provide data and reports that others rely on to make farm-level, business, and policy decisions related to agriculture. Every five years, we also conduct the Census of Agriculture, a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches, regardless of the size or type of operation. In addition, we conduct ongoing research on survey design, sampling, and other cutting-edge statistical issues. The combination of rapidly changing agriculture, new statistical methods, and state-of-the-art computer and remote-sensing technology makes this an exciting era for NASS professionals.

Our Products

Our data and reports cover a broad range of issues, including agricultural production and inventories, farm labor and wages, farm income and finances, kinds and amounts of chemicals used in farming, the conditions of specific crops, livestock inventories and trends, rural development, and agriculture industries such as flour milling, ethanol, cotton, and fats and oils, to name just some of the information we produce.

Our Staff

To do all of this work we employ:

• Agricultural or survey statisticians

Design the surveys, build the frames, conduct various phases of large-scale surveys, develop procedures for interpreting survey results, and analyze the data for trends and results. May include commodity or survey statistics, remote sensing, the Census of Agriculture, and management. Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree with 15 credit hours in math and statistics (with at least 6 in statistics) plus 9 additional credit hours in other physical or social sciences.

• Mathematical statisticians

Evaluate the data for validity and accuracy, develop and apply models that resolve problems, and conduct research on survey design, sampling, and other methodological issues. May include estimation theory, statistical computing, non-sampling error management, remote sensing, and management. Minimum qualifications: A bachelor's degree with 24 credits in math and statistics (with at least 12 in mathematics and 6 in statistics). A master’s degree in statistics or math is desirable, as is computer proficiency and experience in statistical software packages. Doctoral degree wanted for research positions.

• Information technology specialists

Design and maintain the computer systems that process and analyze data. May include software development and maintenance, systems support, technology research, technical support, database administration, security, Web design and maintenance, and management. Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or experience in computer science, information science, management information systems, mathematics, statistics, operations research, engineering, or similar field.

• Finance, communications, human resource, administrative, and other professionals

These positions support NASS’ core work of planning surveys and censuses and collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data. They are essential to NASS operations but are fewer in number and vacancies occur less often.

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NASS Jobs

Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting your career, NASS offers excellent career opportunities and a dynamic, rewarding work environment. Nearly 70 percent of NASS employees are statisticians and another 11 percent are IT specialists, but NASS hires from a wide range of backgrounds. If you are interested in impartial, objective data, have a background or even just an interest in agriculture trends and issues, enjoy solving problems, and want to learn and grow throughout your career, consider joining the NASS team. Opportunities for advancement are excellent.

Vacancies

All NASS vacancies are posted to the USAJOBS website but you can also access them here on the NASS site. If you don’t see the job for you today, come back often or set up an ongoing search at www.USAJOBS.gov.

 Search current openings on the USAJOBS website

Resources

Once you identify the job you want to apply for, take advantage of the many useful resources that can help you understand federal job announcements, create your federal resume, apply for the position, and follow up.

View and use these USAJOBS application resources:

• Resource Center
• Tips
• Top Ten FAQs

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Why Join the NASS Team?

1. Make a difference.

Farmers, ranchers, policymakers, community planners, agribusinesses, researchers, USDA, and other federal and state agencies use NASS data for planning, market assessment, decision making, and ongoing research. The information NASS provides is essential to U.S. agriculture, a major sector of the economy. It contributes to a stable economic climate and reduces risk.

2. Work with smart, motivated colleagues.

NASS staff are dedicated to providing objective, reliable data. Employees come from a wide range of majors and collaborate across offices to produce hundreds of on-time, high-quality products each year.

3. Enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and work-life balance.

NASS pays competitive government salaries and offers the full range of benefits available to federal employees. Our excellent benefits help you create a satisfying work-life balance:

• Health insurance, including dental and vision
• Annual leave – 13 days per year initially, 20 days after 3 years, 26 days after 15 years
• Sick leave – 13 days per year (can be used for self and to care for sick family member)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Flexible spending accounts (health and dependent care)
• 40-hour work week
• Flexible hours and telework options
• Optional life and long-term care insurance
• Retirement plan
• Optional tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan, with up to 5% agency match (similar to a 401K)
• Locality pay by geographic area
• Periodic pay increases
• Potential cash awards for outstanding performance
• Professional development and training

4. Advance your education.

NASS offers academic and professional development opportunities to give you the tools you need for your job and to help you advance your career. This may include college courses, graduate-level degree programs, cross-training programs, workshops, seminars, and online courses.

5. Pursue career opportunities at our Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and in offices across the country.

Headquarters:
Headquarters manages surveys, analyzes data, conducts cutting-edge statistical research, and publishes national reports. As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., offers historic landmarks, world-class museums, prestigious universities, and a variety of restaurants, theaters, music venues, professional sports teams, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. On-site amenities include easy access by Metro rail and bus, commuter subsidy, fitness center, credit union and ATM, cafeteria and other eateries, convenience shopping, seasonal USDA farmers market, and a nearby day-care center.

Offices across the country:
Our National Operations Center in St. Louis develops data collection instruments and procedures, maintains our list frame, collects and processes data, and trains our interviewers. Twelve Regional Field Offices coordinate the national surveys in their regions and also collect and publish data specific to their regions, states, and localities. In or near state capitals, these offices each have their own location-specific characteristics and amenities.

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Students and Recent Graduates

Government-wide Pathways Programs provide opportunities for current students and recent graduates to get started in federal service working in agriculture, science, statistics, math, and other fields. NASS hires under both the Internship and Recent Graduates programs.

Internship Program — Students in high school (including home schooling) or pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a qualifying institution (including certificate programs and community colleges) have the opportunity for paid work experience while pursuing their education. Interns may work during the summer, during academic semesters, or year round.

Recent Graduates Program — Individuals who graduated from a qualifying institution or program in the last two years (six years for veterans) participate in a dynamic one-year program offering a full-time position that includes mentoring, training, professional development, and a potential long-term career in the federal government.

Scroll over their pictures to see what Pathways interns and recent graduates say about working at NASS.

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Veterans' Preference

If you are applying as a veteran, you should be aware that NASS, like the federal government generally, gives eligible veterans certain preferences during the application and hiring process. Veterans' preference does not guarantee the veteran a job but it does provide assistance in competing for a federal job.

For information on veterans' preference, see the USDA Veterans Employment Program and the government-wide Feds Hire Vets online resource.

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Disability Accommodation

The federal government makes it a priority to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. USDA encourages the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities, and provides reasonable accommodation in both the hiring and interview process as well as once employed.

For more information on disability accommodation, see the USDA Disability Employment Program and the federal government’s Disability Employment Policies.

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For More Information

• Download the brochure, A Career Choice that Adds Up (pdf)
• Call NASS Human Resources (800-832-4180).
• Call or email one of our Regional Field Offices.

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