As a Supervisory Agriculturist with Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pest Exclusion and Import Programs (PEIP), you will assist members of the PPQ Leadership Team in planning, coordinating, and evaluating overall exclusion (Agriculture Quarantine Inspection), emergency, and domestic programs; and provide leadership and strategic direction to staff activities concerned with program and policy development.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Participates with the Associate Deputy Administrator in the planning and program development of PEIP programs to support PPQ’s mission, goals, and policies. Provides overall leadership, direction, coordination, and operational accountability for PEIP units including program-oriented planning and evaluation. Coordinates, develops, and integrates staff functions with other APHIS programs and programs of other federal, state, and foreign agencies and private organizations. Participates in developing guidelines for and gathers appropriate scientific material to determine achievements and provide a basis for new or modified program planning. Represents the PEIP Associate Deputy Administrator in meetings and dealing with outside groups such as Members of Congress, agricultural industry groups, and officials of other government agencies. Works closely with the other core functional areas to establish cross-functional working groups and resolve policy, operational, and scientific issues to improve program management and success. Supervises a staff of multiple scientific, technical, and support employees.

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.

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 sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major (24 semester hours/36 quarter hours), as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, 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: Experience leading plant health regulatory programs including evaluating, responding to, and resolving complex and varied plant health policy and regulatory issues using technical expertise and political savvy. Experience communicating and collaborating with multi-disciplinary experts, federal agency leaders, and with a variety of stakeholders to determine most effective solutions to regulatory challenges. Experience with strategic and operational planning and organizational change management. Experience demonstrating strong leadership of multi-disciplinary teams and human capital management skills. Note: There is no education substitution for specialized experience at 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]