This position is located in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services (ERCS), Division of Biodefense and Security (DBS) and focuses on coordination of biodefense and national security matters.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Guide biodefense and security related national security matters on vital and critical agricultural/animal and plant health and One Health matters. Develop and promote the Agency’s priorities related to biodefense and security issues impacting national security. Ensure a successful and coordinated response for the Agency’s biodefense efforts by standardizing the approach to biodefense. Provide leadership in performing advisory and unprecedented project-oriented assignments which impact core programs and operations. Identify communication and outreach strategies to assure maximum exposure and positive reception of the Agency’s critical initiatives. Serve as the Agency’s focal point on the development of biodefense, biosafety, and security outreach information.

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/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Frequent travel to meetings in the local area is expected.

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. In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess: FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Leading formal and informal meetings at times which may require extensive preparation of briefing materials or up to date technical familiarity with complex subject matter. Collaborating with multi-level national and government partner organizations and briefing top officials on key management and program issues concerning biodefense and/or national security matters. Providing operational and strategic leadership within an organization that is geographically dispersed; and providing support to internal and external customers to meet program goals and objectives. Coordinating unified policies/responses and promoting information sharing on biodefense and security matters of national significance. Leading a team through the formulation of policies pertaining to biodefense and biosafety related national security matters, to include recommending relevant policies or procedures. Identifying and resolving issues where no policy exists. Note: 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]