Serves as the staff supervisor for the Communications Branch to develop, coordinate, evaluate, and deliver internal and external communication strategies, plans, activities, and products that support the Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) mission.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides strategic and technical expertise in communicating the BRS role, activities, and actions in biotechnology regulation. Serves as a key contact point for stakeholders both inside and outside of APHIS and helps develop and maintain effective mechanisms for information exchange. Serves as an outreach and communications expert and advises BRS management officials and others on effective communications strategies and approaches and on the development of BRS policies. Works with and/or supervises work as needed to build collaborative and cooperative relationships to enhance the ability of BRS to fulfill its biotechnology regulatory mission. Provides leadership on the analysis of emerging needs and potential ways to address internal communication and training needs in BRS, as well as outreach to other organizations. Provides leadership for development and communication of the BRS strategic plan, and for annual development and communication of fiscal year operational goals and milestones. Responsible for supervising a staff with expertise in communications, biology, agriculture, and related disciplines. Responsible for planning work to be accomplished by subordinates; setting and adjusting short-term priorities and preparing schedules for completion of work; evaluating the work performance, etc.

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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Routinely worked with communications and program staff, senior leadership, and other organizations to develop, coordinate, and deliver effective strategies, activities, and products for communications with internal and external stakeholders and audiences on complex scientific topics. Led public meetings, seminars, consultations with domestic or international stakeholders, industry groups, non-governmental organizations, or the public where the subject matter involved complex scientific issues with wide-ranging views/opinions. Supervised, managed, or led team(s) in developing products that creatively depict and plainly convey complex scientific issues and program plans, goals, and accomplishments, including through providing direction and undertaking review of public facing material for plain language and ease-of-reading, and consistent grammar, style, punctuation, and use of terms. Developed web-based and other electronic communications products using a variety of communications software, including the Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. Provided expertise, assistance, and training related to internal and external communications and public outreach. There is no education substitution for this 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

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