The selectee will perform a specialized duty that provides a comprehensive approach to biosecurity, minimizing the risk of biological and economic damage caused by exotic, non-native plant and animal organisms to agriculture, natural resources and U.S. trade initiatives involving overall plant health activities.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Utilizes a detector dog in conducting inspections of commodities and conveyances in traditional and non-traditional settings and environments Using the areas climatological, topographical and biological data and other information, predicts and plans canine operational activities to achieve the goals of PPQ programs Conducts/oversees pre-pest identification responsibilities (e.g. screening) using specific knowledge of pest identification and control measures within the area of responsibility Conducts pest surveys that provide supporting data for international trade negotiations in order to export U.S. commodities Assists Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) Officers in conducting market blitzes or targeted inspections of known or suspected violators of agriculture statutes Interprets and applies regulatory measures used to eradicate foreign pest introductions

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• The incumbent is required to travel to remote locations at various facilities and may be required to spend extended periods of time at these locations, usually not more than 270 days.
• The incumbent must also be available to travel on a routine basis and be willing to work at odd times, including overtime, weekends, holidays, and shifts.
• The position will require involves extended periods of time spent standing, bending, walking, and running in inspection areas.
• Loading, unloading, and carrying moderately heavy materials weighing up to 75 lbs.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying traditional and nontraditional canine training theories to establish or modify canine behaviors in detection proficiency. Utilizing a detector dog to conduct inspections in traditional and non-traditional environment. Providing recommendations to management and staff on the design and development of guidelines, operational standards and procedures to be used for the development of canine operations integration in programs. Planning, coordinating, and conducting canine operation activities with respect to newly emerging programs or operational functions. Conducting pre-pest identification inspections of commodities and conveyances for compliance with regulations and laws. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]