This position is in the Veterinary Services (VS), Strategy and Policy (S&P), Ruminant Health Center (RHC) unit which is dedicated to safeguarding the health of all animal species critical to animal agriculture, facilitating trade in animals and animal products, select agent registration and inspection, and strengthening animal health infrastructures both nationally and internationally through surveillance, monitoring, risk analysis, spatial epidemiology, and modeling.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Uses expert knowledge of wildlife diseases, ecology, biology, wildlife and land management agencies' authorities and jurisdictions to develop and implement program policy. Serves as a national subject matter expert in the wildlife-livestock interface for VS’ priorities such as Cattle Fever Tick eradication. Provides expertise in areas involving the wildlife-livestock interface such as brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication, chronic wasting disease control, and other regulated diseases of ruminants. Provides subject matter expertise of wildlife management, wildlife disease issues, and, particularly for ruminants of the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). Works closely with the USDA Real Estate and Contracting groups to negotiate leases and contracts as needed for the operation of USDA’s Bison Quarantine Program. Identifies operational needs for the Bison Quarantine Program and ensures services and product contracts and appropriate purchases to operate the bison facilities. Serves the agency as a wildlife disease resource person, assists in the VS wildlife developmental projects, collaborates with VS personnel and wildlife disease researchers. Serves as manager of the VS Approved Bison Quarantine Facility at Corwin Springs, Montana comprised of two separate leased properties holding about 70-120 wild bison.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• Must be physically capable of very demanding physical work, including lifting more than 70 pounds involving long hours in sometimes extreme weather of the Greater Yellowstone Area.
• Domestic and international travel is required as an essential function of the job and may require obtaining an Official Government Passport.
• Meets all requirements for possessing a firearm, holding a purchase card, operate a GOV vehicle, and other administrative requirements necessary to administer the Bison Quarantine Program.
• Operates equipment such as large tractor, skid steer, all-terrain vehicles, and drive a pickup with livestock trailer.
• Must be able to physically work in dangerous animal-human environments, inclement weather, and longer than normal 8-hour workdays when necessary, in keeping with Agency policy.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: successfully completed a bachelor's or higher degree in biological science that included: At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. OR: Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement you must also meet the experience below: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Serving as a subject matter expert for ruminants and ruminant health diseases and/or pests. Developing regulations, policies and protocols to implement national surveillance and control programs for animal diseases and/or pests. Analyzing data and reports to include epidemiology, disease risk factors, and research studies, and applying findings toward the development and implementation of animal disease and/or pest surveillance and control programs. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]