Career Opportunities
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) provides timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture. NASS is the official source of comprehensive, current information on the farms, ranches, and people who provide food, feed, and fiber to our nation and the world. Explore more at A Career Choice that Adds Up and Apply for jobs at NASS.
Who We Are
NASS is the statistical agency of the USDA with a diverse team of professionals from many different geographic areas and academic backgrounds. Some have in-depth knowledge and training in statistics and mathematics, others have statistics and math course work but majored in other fields.
Our Staff
To do all of this work we employ:
- Agricultural or survey statisticians
Design the surveys, build the frames, conduct various phases of large-scale surveys, develop procedures for interpreting survey results, and analyze the data for trends and results. May include commodity or survey statistics, remote sensing, the Census of Agriculture, and management. Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree with 15 semester hours in math and statistics (with at least six in statistics) plus nine additional hours in other physical or social sciences.
- Mathematical statisticians
Evaluate the data for validity and accuracy, develop and apply models that resolve problems, and conduct research on survey design, sampling, and other methodological issues. May include estimation theory, statistical computing, non-sampling error management, remote sensing, and management. Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours in math and statistics (with at least 12 in math and six in statistics). A math or statistics master’s degree is desirable, as is computer proficiency and experience in statistical software packages. Doctoral degree wanted for research positions.
- Information technology specialists
Design and maintain the computer systems that process and analyze data. May include software development and maintenance, systems support, technology research, technical support, database administration, security, Web design and maintenance, and management. Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or experience in computer science, information science, management information systems, mathematics, statistics, operations research, engineering, or similar field.
- Geographers, finance, communications, human resource, administrative, and other professionals
These positions support NASS’ core work. They are essential to NASS operations but are fewer in number, and vacancies occur less often.
What We Do
NASS collects, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates data about U.S. agriculture. The combination of rapidly changing agriculture, new statistical methods, and state-of-the-art computer and remote-sensing technology makes this an exciting era for NASS professionals.
- Conducts over 400 weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual surveys each year.
- Conducts the Census of Agriculture every five years - a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches.
- Conducts ongoing research on survey design, sampling, and other cutting-edge statistical issues.
Our Products
Our data and reports cover a broad range of issues, including but not limited to:
- Agricultural production and inventories
- Farm labor and wages, income and finances
- Types and amounts of chemicals
- Conditions of specific crops, livestock inventories and trends, rural development
- Agriculture industries such as flour milling, ethanol, cotton, and fats and oils
NASS Jobs
Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting your career, NASS offers excellent career opportunities and a dynamic, rewarding work environment. Nearly 70 percent of NASS employees are statisticians and another 11 percent are IT specialists, but NASS hires from a wide range of backgrounds. If you are interested in impartial, objective data, enjoy solving problems, and want to learn and grow throughout your career, consider joining the NASS team. Opportunities for advancement are excellent. NASS vacancies are available on USAJOBS.
Search current openings on the USAJOBS website
Resources
Why Join the NASS Team?
1. Make a difference
Farmers, ranchers, policymakers, community planners, agribusinesses, researchers, USDA, and other federal and state agencies use NASS data for planning, market assessment, decision making, and ongoing research. The information NASS provides is essential to U.S. agriculture, a major sector of the economy. It contributes to a stable economic climate and reduces risk.
2. Work with smart, motivated colleagues
NASS staff are dedicated to providing objective, reliable data. Employees come from a wide range of majors and collaborate across offices to produce hundreds of on-time, high-quality products each year.
3. Enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and work-life balance
NASS pays competitive government salaries and offers the full range of benefits available to federal employees that help you create a satisfying work-life balance rarely found elsewhere.
4. Advance your education
NASS offers academic and professional development opportunities to give you the tools you need for your job and to help you advance your career. This may include college courses, graduate-level degree programs, cross-training programs, workshops, seminars, and online courses.
5. Pursue career opportunities across the country
Work in the nation’s capital, with all the opportunities and attractions of a major international city. Or work in one of our 12 regional offices or at our National Operations Center in St. Louis.
Students and Recent Graduates
Government-wide Pathways Programs provide opportunities for current students and recent graduates to get started in federal service working in agriculture, science, statistics, math, and other fields. NASS hires under both the Internship and Recent Graduates programs.
Internship Program — Students in high school (including homeschooling) or pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a qualifying institution (including certificate programs and community colleges) have the opportunity for paid work experience while pursuing their education. Interns may work during the summer, during academic semesters, or year-round.
Recent Graduates Program — Individuals who graduated from a qualifying institution or program in the last two years (six years for veterans) participate in a dynamic one-year program offering a full-time position that includes mentoring, training, professional development, and a potential long-term career in the federal government.
Current and former Pathways interns and recent graduates share their experiences below.
“NASS has been an excellent place to launch a career in the federal statistical service. I have the opportunity to conduct innovative statistical research and see it put into practice. NASS has been supportive in providing continued education and training opportunities, and I thoroughly enjoy working and living in the nation’s capital.”
— Nathan Cruze, Ph.D., Mathematical Statistician, former Pathways Recent Grad
“In my first three years at NASS, I worked in St. Louis and in Washington, D.C., gaining experience while working as a data editor, survey analyst, and project manager before taking on responsibility for a national survey. Now back in St. Louis, I am doing more technical work to verify the lists NASS uses in conducting surveys.”
— Christina Spellman, Agricultural Statistician, former Pathways Recent Grad
“I love working with NASS’ talented and expert staff and look forward to taking advantage of more leadership and professional training, but what I really value is the agency’s absolute commitment to data objectivity.”
— Tyler Wilson, Survey Methodologist, former Pathways Recent Grad
Veterans' Preference
Veterans should be aware that NASS, like other federal agencies, gives eligible veterans preferences during the application and hiring process.
Resources:
Disability Accommodation
The federal government makes it a priority to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. USDA encourages the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodation in both the hiring and interview process as well as once employed.
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For More Information
- YouTube: "We Do It For You"
- Download the brochure, A Career Choice that Adds Up (pdf)
- Download the flyer Apply for jobs at NASS.
- Call or email one of our Regional Field Offices.