Mission: We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
Mr. Monshi Ramdass serves as the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Veterans Employment Program Manager (VEPM). In this role, he ensures that Executive Order 13518, Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government is executed within the USDA. In this capacity, he sets departmental policy and provides leadership for recruitment programs covering the hiring of Veterans. This includes program guidance on the recruitment, retention, reduction in force, and utilization of employees with Veteran status. In addition he provides policy guidance, oversight, and leadership on marketing the use of special hiring authorities for Veterans and provides reports and statistical data about veterans in the USDA workforce.
In 2010, before assuming the VEPM position, Mr. Ramdass joined the USDA Office of Human Resources Management, Departmental Management as the Director of Diversity, Recruitment, and Work/Life Division. Mr. Ramdass also served as a Special Emphasis Program Manager, Diversity Consultant, and Coordinator for the Defense Intelligence Agency where he created a model program that is still in existence today.
Mr. Ramdass served in the United States Army for 24 years in various capacities and leadership positions achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Mr. Ramdass holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development and a Bachelors of Science degree in Health Service Administration.
Recruiting for
Important Information
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Agriculture. We ask that you apply to all USDA positions at http://usda.usajobs.gov.
The veterans hiring initiative was established to assist veterans seeking employment for the first time with the federal government. If you are a current federal government employee lateral government opportunities are not conducted through our veteran employment program office. You must go through the competitive process by applying to positions advertised on USAJOBS. Any veteran’s preference you may have will be afforded to you if all supporting documents are included in your application.
Please be aware that the USDA Veterans Employment Program Office is not a hiring office and therefore, unable to accept unsolicited resumes or conduct interviews for jobs. We will, however, answer any veteran employment-related questions; explain career opportunities within USDA; provide you tools and assist you with your federal resume; and, explain the federal application process. When soliciting for non-competitive consideration the Department of Agriculture will advertise those positions through the FedsHireVets Facebook page.
Prior to applying to any position we recommend that you first determine what federal positions you would qualify for based on your military experience or education. We recommend you first go to the Military Skills Translator Tool located at www.mil2fedjobs.com. This tool will allow you to cross reference Federal positions related to your military occupational specialty. In addition to identifying those positions that are related to your military occupation, it will provide you with links to current open vacancies in that field that you can apply to. You can then narrow your search to specific locations or other criteria within USAJOBS.
Another recommended resource is the Federal Jobs by College Major to help you determine which Federal Positions you may qualify for based on your education.
Once you find the positions you are interested in and qualify for, it is important to note that you will need to ensure that you revise your resume each time you apply by identifying the key words in the duty description and addressing them in your resume based on your knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to the job.
Below is a list of USDA’s major agencies and the jobs titles most recruited for:
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
1980 Agricultural Commodity Grader
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
0404 Biological Science Technician
Animal/Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
0201 Human Resources
0301 Miscellaneous Administration & Programs
0343 Management & Program Analyst
0401 General Biological Scientist
0404 Biological Science Technician
0701 Veterinary Medical Officer
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
0201 Human Resources
1101 General Business & Industry (Program Technician)
1165 Loan Specialist Food & Nutrition Service (FNS)
0301 Miscellaneous Administration & Programs Specialist
0343 Management Analyst & Program Analyst
0630 Nutritionist
Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS)
1862 Consumer Safety Inspector
1863 Food Inspection
0701 Veterinary Medical Officer
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
0301 Agricultural Advisor Forest Service (FS)
0201 Human Resources
0301 Forest Fire Management Officer
0303 Administrative Support Assistant
0343 Management Analyst & Program Analyst
0401 Fire and Aviation Management Staff Officer
0401 Natural Resources Specialist
0404 Biological Science Technician
0454 Rangeland Management Specialist
0462 Forestry Technician - Wildlands Firefighters
0462 Forestry Technician - Timber Sale Preparation
0470 Soil Science Specialist
0610 Nurse
1102 Contract Specialist
1801 Law Enforcement Officer
1811 Criminal Investigator
2210 Computer Information Technology
Forest Service (FS)
0301 Miscellaneous Administration & Programs
0340 Program Management
0401 General Natural Resources Management & Biological Sciences
0460 Forestry
0462 Forestry Technician
0486 Wildlife biology
0470 Soil Science
0810 Civil Engineering
1101 Contract Specialist
2210 IT Specialist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
0301 Program Specialist
0343 Management Analyst & Program Analyst
0457 Soil Conservation Specialist
0458 Soil Conservation Technician
Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
2210 Computer Information Technology