David Dissinger
Email: VeteransEmploymentProgram@dm.usda.gov
Tel: (202) 690-3420
Department of Agriculture
Mission: We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
David A. Dissinger is the Veterans’ Employment Program Manager for the United States Department of Agriculture and works closely with senior leadership throughout USDA on issues involving the employment, development, and retention of Veterans. Prior to joining the Department, David served for three years with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service as the Disability Compliance Program Manager. David’s previous positions include EEO Counselor and Disability Program Manager. Before joining the Federal workforce, David served on active duty in the United States Army for 24 years where his assignments included First Sergeant and Senior Enlisted Advisor; Equal Opportunity Advisor, Assistant Chief Clinical Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO); Operations NCO; and Senior Instructor. David’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters; and numerous Certificates of Achievement. David holds a B.A. in Health Care Administration from Wayland Baptist University; is a 2001 graduate of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s Equal Opportunity Advisor course; and a 2006 graduate of the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer’s course.
Recruiting for
Thank you for your interest in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
USDA employs more than 105,000 employees worldwide within 17 agencies and 14 offices. Some of the 17 agencies are grouped, based on the missions, into 10 Mission Areas. You are encouraged to learn more about USDA’s Agencies, Mission Areas, and Offices on the USDA Home Page at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome.
USDA posts all vacancy announcements on USAJobs.gov. You can view current vacancies at the Careers tab on USDA’s home page. On any given day there are usually more than 600 active vacancy announcements listed. Many of the vacancy announcements can have more than 100 vacancies nationwide.
Each USDA agency is responsible for the agency’s vacancy announcement and has assigned a Human Resources Specialist to manage the vacancy from posting to creating the lists of candidates. Each Mission Area has appointed a Veterans Employment Program Manager or Coordinator who is responsible for their Mission Area’s recruitment and hiring of Veterans.
The HQ USDA Veterans Employment Program Office is located at USDA’s Jamie Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250. The VEPO office provides the following services to transitioning service members, veterans, family members eligible for Derived Preference and military spouses eligible for non-competitive appointments:
• Introduction to USDA Agencies and careers
• Resume review and feedback
• Counseling designed to improve employment seeking skills
• An explanation of the Federal application process
o USAJOBS
o Special hiring authorities
o Category Rating
• Referrals to USDA Agency personnel responsible for Veterans emphasis in employment
I recommend that you not send your resume, DD-214 and other documents without first considering the following:
If you are interested in working for USDA, first determine which jobs you are interested in and qualify for. Always ensure that your resume is written to meet the qualifications for the grade for which you want to be considered.
You may browse jobs that meet your qualifications, grade, and geographic location on USAJobs. You may apply to the vacancy online; identify yourself as a veteran and/or a disabled veteran; and, you may also upload your supporting documents.
If you are eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) or 30% or more disabled appointment you may send me your resume, DD-214, and VA or Military Disability rating certificate. I will distribute your resume and supporting documents to the Mission Area Veterans Employment Program Managers and Coordinators. To enable the VEPMs to effectively market veteran customers to their hiring managers, I require that you inform me in your email of which specific jobs and geographic locations you want to be considered for. It is your responsibility to ensure that your resume qualifies you for the jobs that you are seeking.
USDA Mission Critical Jobs
USDA has identified 20 Mission Critical Occupations. They are:
• Human Resources Specialists Series 0201
• Miscellaneous Administration & Programs Series 0301
• Management & Program Analyst Series 0343
• General Biological Scientist Series 0401
• Biological Science Technician Series 0404
• Soil Conservation Specialist Series 0457
• Soil Conservation Technician Series 0458
• Forestry Specialist Series 0460
• Forestry Technician Series 0462
• Soil Science Specialist Series 0470
• Dietician & Nutritionist Specialist Series 0630
• Consumer Safety Specialist Series 0696
• Veterinary Medical Officer Series 0701
• General Business & Industry Series 1101
• Loan Specialist Series 1165
• Statistician Specialist Series 1530
• Consumer Safety Inspector Series 1862
• Food Inspection Series 1863
• Agricultural Commodity Grader Series 1980
• Computer Information Technology Series 2210
If you have any questions during your search USDA position with USDA, don’t hesitate to contact the USDA VEPO office at either the email address or phone number provided above.