AGRICULTURAL LOAN OFFICER VI – DOWNTOWN, OAHU

Recruitment Information

Recruitment Number 24-0516

This vacancy is with the Department of Agriculture in Downtown.

Salary: $6,399 to $7,787 per month (SR-26, Step D to I)

Note: Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant’s qualifications, and other relevant factors.

This continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. The notice of the last day to file applications will be posted on the State of Hawaii’s Civil Service Job Opportunities Listing page of our website.

Duties Summary

Advises and assists farmers and other interested parties in securing loans for farming enterprises; contacts and cooperates with private lenders and federal loan agencies in making farm loans available for qualified applicants; determines eligibility and recommends approval of the amount and terms of loans; promotes the farm loan program; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Legal Authorization to Work:

The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture which included specialization in an area related to farm management (e.g., horticulture, agronomy, soils, economic entomology, agricultural economics, etc.)

Credit Analysis Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible financial experience which involved analyzing and evaluating financial and credit risk factors in determining eligibility for a loan.

Farm Business Management Experience: Two (2) years of responsible work experience which demonstrated possession of and the ability to apply knowledge of agricultural concepts, theories, principles, and practices involved in farm management and operations, including knowledge of cropping systems, soil conservation, and management of water, livestock, finances, building, facilities and equipment.

Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to:

(1) the arrangement of agricultural or farm financing which included field assessment of agricultural operations; 

(2) agricultural research involving actual field work in the study of the economic feasibility of agricultural products; or 

(3) the development and management of agricultural operations involving establishment of short and long-range plans based on sound agricultural concepts, principles and practices and which involved supervision of farm operations.

Agricultural Loan Analysis Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience which involved the analysis of applications for agricultural loans which involved the application of agricultural concepts and principles described under the section on Farm Business Management, above, in the analysis and evaluation of financial and credit risk factors in determining eligibility for an agricultural loan on behalf of a lender. This experience must also have included responsibility for advising and assisting those applying for and repaying loans in their technical agricultural problems to enhance their ability to pay.

Supervisory Aptitude: Applicants must possess supervisory aptitude. Supervisory aptitude is the demonstration of aptitude or potential for the performance of supervisory duties through successful completion of regular or special assignments which involve some supervisory responsibilities or aspects of supervision, e.g., by serving as a group or team leader; or in similar work in which opportunities for demonstrating supervisory capabilities exist; or by the completion of training courses in supervision accompanied by application of supervisory skills in work assignments; and/or by favorable appraisals by a supervisor indicating the possession of supervisory potential.

Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant’s overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he is being considered.

Substitutions Allowed: Relevant substitutions as described in the complete Minimum Qualification Requirements, will apply.

The information provided above represents a summary of the complete Minimum Qualification Requirements. To view the Requirements in their entirety, including prerequisite knowledges and abilities required, please CLICK HERE (Download PDF reader).

17349:120122:35:CLA

Other Information

The State of Hawai’i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call 808-587-0936 for assistance.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM

The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS

The Department of Human Resources Development (HRD) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs.

Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings.

TESTING INFORMATION

The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held.

In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application.

CLICK HERE (Download PDF reader) for further information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the State Recruiting Office’s Levels of Review.

YOUR JOB BENEFITS WITH THE STATE OF HAWAI’I

The State of Hawaii offers its employees who are members of the civil service a range of benefits. Some benefits are offered as a result of collective bargaining agreements and changes may occur.

A summary of these benefits, which is based on full-time employment, is listed below.

Note: Benefits for NON-CIVIL SERVICE appointments will be provided by the hiring department at the time of interview.

With Civil Service modernization, effective July 1, 2002, employees appointed to temporary positions may also gain membership in the civil service upon satisfactory completion of an initial probation period of at least six months. As a temporary member of the civil service, you will be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits afforded to members of the civil service, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force of a permanent member of the civil service.

Paid Holidays

You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.

Paid Vacation

You may earn vacation leave at a rate that other employers find tough to match – 21 days each full year from the FIRST year of employment. This compares to an average of 10 days offered by private companies. You may accumulate up to a total of 90 days (720 hours) of vacation.

Paid Sick Leave

You may earn sick leave at the same rate as vacation – 21 days per year from the FIRST year, and there is no limit on the amount you can accumulate. Expectant mothers may also use sick leave for pre-natal or post-natal check-ups or any illness related to pregnancy. Plus, unused accumulated sick leave may eventually be used to increase your retirement benefits in certain situations.

Other Leaves

Reasonable time off with pay may be provided for jury or witness duty, a death in the family, some military duty, and donation to the Blood Bank. Leave sharing donations may be granted to eligible employees who have serious personal illnesses or injuries or need to care for a seriously ill or injured family member. Various leaves without pay may also be granted with full re-employment rights.

Health Insurance

The State pays a part of the premiums for each employee’s enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Dental Plan. For more information, visit the Employer Union Trust Fund website www.eutf.hawaii.gov for coverage and options.

Group Life Insurance

The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees.

Retirement Plan

The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees under the Hybrid Plan with 10 years of credited service and who have reached 65 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and have reached 60 years of age may retire and receive benefits. To find out more about the options you have, go to http://ers.ehawaii.gov.

Premium Conversion Plan

Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.

Transportation Benefits

Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct qualified transportation expenses (i.e. eligible parking fees, monthly bus passes for TheBus, fare coupons for The Handi-Van, Vanpool Hawaii participation fee, etc.) through pre-tax payroll deductions.

Deferred Compensation

The State offers employees a voluntary pre-tax retirement savings plan designed to give employees a tax break today and an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several types of investment options are available.

Temporary Disability Insurance

Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.

Social Security

As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee’s social security account.

Promotions & Transfers

For employees with membership in the civil service, the State offers promotion and transfer opportunities throughout the State Executive Branch.

Training & Continuing Education

The State supports developmental activities related to an employee’s work. In many departments there are numerous in-service training opportunities available. Sabbatical leaves with pay are available for qualified employees.

Travel Expenses

The State may pay for certain business related travel expenses including mileage reimbursement for use of a personal car during work, airfare, meals and lodging expenses for trips to neighbor islands or out of state.

Incentive & Service Awards

The State has a program that recognizes employees for their years of service and provides cash awards for their superior accomplishments and other contributions that improve State operations.

Union & Collective Bargaining

Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee’s job is excluded from collective bargaining.

The above information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available to State of Hawaii employees and is subject to change. Whether or not you are entitled to a particular benefit will depend on your specific appointment and employment status (included, excluded, exempt, non-exempt). Please refer to the appropriate collective bargaining agreement or executive order and all applicable laws, rules, policies, or plan documents for further details. Nothing herein shall be deemed as creating an employment contract, promise of employment, promise of continued employment, or obligation of any kind on the part of the State of Hawaii.

CLICK HERE for more information on the State of Hawaii’s Benefits At-A-Glance.

The State of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Revised 01/13

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