You will serve as an Assistant State Director within the USDA, APHIS, WS. Primary duties involve assisting in the planning, developing, organizing, and administering complex operational and technical assistance programs designed to efficiently, effectively, and safely reduce wildlife damage that adversely impacts agricultural interests, human health and safety, property, and natural resources.

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: Assists in planning, developing, organizing, and administering complex operational and technical assistance WS programs designed to efficiently, effectively, and safely reduce wildlife damage. Works with State Director to conduct continuing reviews and evaluations of projects and activities to determine overall program effectiveness and compliance with required operating procedures. Collaborates with State Director to prepare long-range work plans, work schedules and priorities, formulates budget estimates, and administers fund expenditures. Assists with directing and overseeing a large workforce of Federal and, in some cases, cooperative employees (collaborators), including administrative staff, wildlife biologists, and technicians. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, establishes and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Determines required staffing levels and organizational structure in relation to budgets and project needs. Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with Federal, State/Territorial, county, and municipal agency officials, organizations, institutions, and associations. Cultivates positive community and media relations, participates in community meetings, gives presentations before groups, prepares articles for news media, answers inquiries regarding program function. Attends and addresses meetings of local, Regional, and National scope for the purpose of sharing program information and planning and evaluating future measures to be considered in WDM programs.

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.
• 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.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.

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: Degree: 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience in human resources management and supervisory techniques in order to plan, develop, and administer a wildlife damage management program. Experience in accomplishing wildlife damage management objectives in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles. Experience in resolving wildlife conflicts for a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences. Experience in planning and implementing wildlife damage management programs, including formulating budget estimates and administering expenditures, for a complex multi-faceted program consisting of federal and cooperatively funded budgets. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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: Experience planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including human safety, aviation safety, property including industrial resources, and natural resources. Experience overseeing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff. Experience planning, coordinating, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, State statutes, State Administrative Rules, and Federal Aviation Regulations for wildlife damage management activities conducted within the State. Experience negotiating interagency/cooperative agreements/cooperative service agreements with federal agencies, state agencies, county agencies and private entities to develop cooperative wildlife damage management 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]