Agricultural Loan Assistant

About this role

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hiring an Agricultural Loan Assistant/Specialist for its Iowa State FSA Office covering Buchanan County, based in Independence, Iowa. In this role you will help local farmers, ranchers, and producers access the farm loans and support programs that keep their operations running, working directly with the community you serve. It is a good fit for someone who wants a stable federal career with a visible local impact. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on November 13, 2026, and you must apply through USAJOBS.

Posted on November 06, 2026, this opening appears in our Government Jobs listings. The role is based on site in Independence, IA, United States, so it suits candidates within commuting distance. The sections below summarise the role in our own words: what you would be doing, what the employer expects, what is offered in return, and exactly how to apply.

Job snapshot

What you will do day to day

The employer's listing highlights the following as the main responsibilities of the role:

• Support farmers, ranchers, and producers applying for FSA farm loans
• Review loan applications and supporting documents for completeness
• Help applicants understand loan programs, requirements, and next steps
• Maintain accurate loan files and records
• Work with the county office team to process loans on schedule
• Provide friendly, professional service to the local farming community

What you will need

• Eligibility for federal employment (see the full USAJOBS announcement for the exact requirements)
• U.S. citizenship (standard for federal positions)
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• Clear written and verbal communication with applicants
• Willingness to learn USDA farm loan programs and procedures

This role suits a candidate who is comfortable with formal processes, documentation, and eligibility rules, and who values long-term stability and public service.

Pay and benefits

USDA Farm Service Agency has not published a fixed salary range in this listing, which is common for roles where pay is set by experience, grade, or location. Check the source listing for the current pay details, and compare the benefits below when judging the overall package.

Benefits listed by the employer

• Federal benefits package including health cover, retirement, and Thrift Savings Plan
• Paid annual and sick leave plus federal holidays
• Stable federal career serving the local farming community
• Work in Independence, Iowa, supporting Buchanan County producers
• Applications close November 13, 2026

How to apply

1. Read the requirements above carefully and check you meet the essentials — US employers screen against them closely.
2. Update your résumé so the skills named in this listing are easy to find, using the same wording where it honestly matches your experience.
3. Click the Apply button on this page. It takes you to the source listing (Hardin-Simmons University Career Services), where the original posting is linked — always confirm the role, pay and deadline there before applying.
4. Complete every field of the application on the source listing and double-check your contact details before submitting.
5. Keep a note of the posting date and job title so you can follow up politely if you have not heard back within two weeks.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Apply well before the closing date — government portals rarely grant extensions.
• Answer every questionnaire item and align your résumé wording with the announcement.
• Check citizenship, clearance, and education requirements before investing time.
• Federal résumés can be longer than private-sector ones; include hours, grades, and duties in detail.

Frequently asked questions

Need help applying? Read our guide: Job Interview Preparation: A Practical Guide — written for government jobs applicants in the USA.

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