Good Day Stakeholder,

The rate of change continues to pick up steam for AMS and our soon to be new colleagues from GIPSA and FSA as the merger is rolling along.  As we continue our work to merge AMS with GIPSA and FSA’s Commodity Operations Division, I want to take this opportunity to update you on some key AMS leadership positions. The formal process for establishing the new program areas and corresponding SES positions being created through this merger is still ongoing and will still take some time to fully complete the hiring process. In the newly created Fair Trade Practices Program, Randall Jones has accepted the position as the Deputy Administrator and will be formally appointed to the position as soon as the necessary paperwork is complete. In the Federal Grain Inspection Program, Dana Coale, AMS Dairy Program Deputy Administrator will temporarily serve as the Deputy Administrator pending the selection of the permanent Deputy Administrator. In addition, Tony Goodeman will serve as the Acting Director of the Field Management Division as Samantha Simon has accepted another SES position in the Department. In the Commodity Procurement Program, the AMS Administrator’s Office will continue to provide leadership pending the selection of the permanent Deputy Administrator. It is also important to recognize the transition occurring in the Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program. This Friday will be Dr. Craig Morris’ last day with AMS as he departs government service to continue his career on the industry side of Agriculture. Please join me in congratulating Craig for his 20 years of government service and his many contributions to our agency. Beginning on Monday, Angie Snyder will serve as the Acting Deputy Administrator for the next 90 days. In other news related to the merger, the transition teams are working to ensure that the merger happens as seamlessly as possible for our employees and the many stakeholders who rely on our services. Over the past week we successfully completed the email migration for most support staff in the GIPSA Administrator's Office, so those employees now have an AMS email address. The remaining GIPSA and FSA employees that have not yet had their email accounts migrated will see this change in the days and weeks to come. If you have specific questions about the merger, I encourage you to use the link that was developed so our employees can submit questions at any time. You can send your questions to employeeqs@ams.usda.gov. As always, thanks for all that you do to make our fast growing organization successful! Bruce Summers Acting AMS Administrator

Team AMS: From Field to HQ

Secretary Perdue's Strategic Goal #3!

Hello USDA Family –

It’s that time of the week again when we’re talking with you about one of our seven Strategic Goals to help make USDA the most efficient, most effective, and most customer-focused department in the federal government.  Today we’re highlighting Strategic Goal #3, and I invite you to click on the video above.

STRATEGIC GOAL #3: Promote American agricultural products and exports.

In case you missed them, here are links to remind you of what we covered in previous weeks:

STRATEGIC GOAL #1: Ensure USDA programs are Delivered Efficiently, Effectively, and with Integrity and a Focus on Customer Service.

STRATEGIC GOAL #2: Maximize the ability of American agricultural producers to prosper by feeding and clothing the world.

You are part of what makes USDA a great place to work.  With your help, we will continue to provide the best possible service to our customers – the farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers of American agriculture.  

Keep doing what you’re doing.  And do right and feed everyone.

Sonny Perdue

Secretary  

CIO Goes to Pennsylvania

Recently, Livestock, Poultry and Seed (LPS) staff hosted AMS Chief Information Officer (CIO) Doug Nash in New Holland, PA, to learn about the functions of the Program and its unique IT needs.  

The group first visited the New Holland Sales stables to see Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News Division (LPGMN) reporters in action. Along with livestock auction reporting, the reporters showcased the new Market Analysis Reporting Service (MARS), which improves customer service by increasing the transparency, speed, accuracy, and flexibility of market reporting.  

The next day, Quality Assessment Division (QAD) gave Doug tours of shell egg and poultry processing plants. During this tour, QAD graders demonstrated official grading processes which provide unbiased measures of quality and value in the marketing of agricultural products, benefit buyers, sellers, and consumers. The graders also highlighted their technology needs and the importance of IT in effective customer service.

Photo (L-R): Dana Stahl (Grading Branch Chief, QAD), Doug Nash (CIO), and Levi Geyer (Assistant Field Chief, LPGMN).

AMS Staff at Prince George's County Student Summit

On Oct. 13, the AMS Civil Rights Program and Black/African American Employment Program Manager Yvette Percell attended the Student Environmental Alliance Summit at the Prince George’s County (MD) Department of Environment to introduce the students to jobs and career opportunities throughout the agency, and educate them on the role AMS plays in their daily lives. 

More than 80 students and 15 staff members from across Prince Georges County attended this summit, which sought to increase the number of students involved in environmental organizations.  The summit also offered opportunities for students to collaborate and share their voices.

National Organic Program Welcomes Acting Deputy Administrator Ruihong Guo

On Oct. 19, the National Organic Program (NOP) hosted a meet and greet to welcome Dr. Ruihong Guo as the team’s new Acting Deputy Administrator. Ruihong will serve in this temporary role for the next several months.

For the past several years, she has served as the Deputy Administrator of the AMS Science & Technology (S&T) Program. She has also held a variety of other leadership positions within AMS, including serving as the Associate Administrator, and serving in a number of NOP leadership positions. The NOP staff welcomes Ruihong and looks forward to working with her to serve the organic industry.

Photo Caption: Acting Deputy Administrator Ruihong Guo, center, with NOP staff at our “Welcome Meet and Greet.” 

New and Emerging Employee Program Host Employee Assistance Brown Bag

On Thursday, Oct. 19, the New and Emerging Professional Program (NEP) hosted Katherine Cleary from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who presented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) orientation.

Each Federal Executive Branch agency has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP services are free, voluntary, and confidential. Services include employee education, supervisory training, and  short term counseling to help address personal or workplace issues stemming from substance abuse. 
When short term counseling is not enough, EAP can provide referrals for ongoing care. You can find your EAP Administrator by contacting your local HR office and/or searching OPM’s Work-Life Contact Tool.

About 25 NEP members and non-members participated in the event which received favorable feedbacks for the event. 

To find out more about NEP events or to get involved, please email AMSNEP@ams.usda.gov

What You Need to Know

Join the New and Emerging professionals in celebrating the final USDA Farmers Market of the season!

Contact Katy Looft or Alex Smith with any questions.

Detail Opportunity for Budget Officer

AMS is seeking candidates for a detail opportunity as the Budget Officer. The duties of the detail include but are not limited to:

1. Management of the AMS Budget Process. The Budget Officer is responsible for the formulation and justification of AMS’s budget submitted annually to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to Congress, which includes:

• Providing leadership and direction of all AMS budget execution functions.
• Representing AMS in budget meetings and negotiations with the Department, OMB and Congressional staffers on all budget related matters.
• Directing and managing the strategic planning, formulation, execution, and presentation of all AMS budget justifications.
• Providing leadership and recommendations to the Administrator regarding investment decisions and trade-offs both within and across funds, accounts, and offices.

2. Management of the Office of Budget. The Budget Officer is responsible for providing leadership and support in achieving the mission the agency:

• Working across functional areas and programs to guide and respond to a broad range of financial management issues.
• Overseeing the day-to-day management and supervision of approximately 25 Office of Budget staff.
• Identifying the need for, supports the development of, and monitors the consistent application of budget policy and guidance across all AMS organizations.
• Serving as advisor and consultant to the Administrator, Deputy Administrators and Staff Offices on the formulation, presentation, justification and execution of the budget.
• Providing in-depth analysis of budget issues and Agency performance measures to support and facilitate senior leadership decisions and makes actionable recommendations to the Administrator.
• Providing expert advice on budget limitations; on the negotiation of interagency agreements involving advancement of reimbursable funds; and on the status and control of all funds appropriated to or otherwise made available to AMS.
• Maintaining the lead role in informal and formal written and verbal communications with OMB on a wide range of financial and policy/program issues.

Interested GS-14 and GS-15 candidates should submit a copy of their resume and statement of interest to Erin Morris, Chief Operating Officer, at erin.morris@ams.usda.gov by COB November 1, 2017.

 2018 USDA Leadership Development Programs

AgLearn has refreshed its Leadership Development Programs with new, shorter, video-based curricula available now.

These programs are great for developing your IDP and, more importantly, setting you up for leadership roles within AMS in the future.

1. The USDA Leadership Essentials Certificate Program (LECP) is a blended learning experience designed for those who are currently in roles that require advanced leadership skills. The program is not a replacement for any Agency leadership programs. 

 Read More

2. The online, cost effective USDA Aspiring Leader Program is designed to assist you with identifying and strengthening these and other critical leadership skills. It will also introduce you to the wealth of resources available through AgLearn.

Read More

3. The online, cost effective USDA Team Leader Program is designed to assist you in building your capacity to collaborate with the team, clarify roles, responsibilities and norms, and clarify the parameters of authority and resources available. It will also introduce you to the wealth of resources available through AgLearn.

Read More

Leave Donor Program

There are several AMS employees who have been out of the office for an extended period of time due to a serious medical condition, and have exhausted all their available leave.  If you would like to donate annual leave, or restored annual leave, to employees approved to receive leave donations, go to the Leave Donor Program webpage.  There you will find links to the current leave recipient list, and the Leave Transfer Program Donor Application (AD-1043). 

• Shannon Petersen, an Administrative Specialist with Management and Analysis Program, in Washington, DC, has been approved as a recipient under the Leave Transfer Program.
• Lisa Sharp, AMS, Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program, Grading Branch, Central Region, Palmyra, WI, has been approved as a recipient under the Leave Transfer Program.  
• Jessica Weakman, AMS, Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program, Grading Branch, Eastern Region, Saranac, MI, has been approved as a recipient under the Leave Transfer Program. 

AD-1043 forms can either be faxed or mailed (not both): 

USDA APHIS MRPBS HRD,
Attn:  Leave & Compensation, Mary Jo 
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2329 

Fax: 612-336-3544.

Reminders:  Only whole hours can be donated.  Donations with fractional hours cannot be accepted.  Donors must include the name of the recipient in block 12 on the Donor Application (AD-1043).  Donations without a name can't be accepted.