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.

Learn More about the RD Mission

Learn More about RD's Programs

Rural Development Job Opportunities

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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.

Diverse Career Paths

Working at Rural Development you can explore diverse 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.

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.

Positions in this occupation typically provide technical and clerical support for various loan and grant programs administered by RD.

Positions in this occupational series advise on, administer, supervise or do work in finance, loan, grant and other business functions in RD.

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.

Positions in this occupation manage, supervise, lead, administer, develop, deliver, and support information technology (IT) systems and services.

Positions in this occupation manage, supervise, administer, advise on, or deliver human resources management products or services.

Positions in this occupational series serve as analysts and advisors to management on the evaluation of programs and operations within RD.

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.

USDA seeks to create and advance a diverse, inclusive culture that champions dignity and respect, and where employees feel welcomed and motivated to do their best.

Rural Development strives to build a diverse workforce and to meet the goals in USDA’s DEIA Strategic Plan. As it related to hiring, we work to “Achieve a workforce representative of Americans that inspires development of innovated ideas and best practice.” For more information about USDA’s DEIA goals, please refer the Strategic Plan found at Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Strategic Plan.

For other Civil Rights related information, please see the following links.

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:

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.

Visit USAJobs to apply

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

Resume Writing Tips

Qualifying for a Federal Job

What to Include in your Federal Resume

Structured Interviews, Hiring Manager Interview, and How do I create structured interview questions?

Additional Resources

Who We Are and Who We Serve

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities because when rural America thrives, all America thrives. We partner with homeowners, small business owners, Tribal leadership, or rural communities. Together, America Prospers.

Finding and Applying for Jobs with the Federal Government

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management host webinars on searching and applying for jobs and internships on usajobs.gov.