As a Special Assistant to the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), you will play a critical role in providing input to the CVO on key management issues, decision-making processes, and communication and engagement strategies related to setting international health standards based on an expert knowledge of the Veterinary Services (VS) program and the CVO role.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides a strategic course for domestic and international outreach, communications, and engagement for the CVO portfolio. Oversees development of key messages, talking points, presentations, documents, comprehensive briefing materials, and other deliverables for the CVO’s international engagements. Elicits cooperation and participation from staff and other resources contributing to action tasks, written products, and reports developed on behalf of the CVO. Reviews, evaluates, and critiques contributions from various staff to ensure information correctly reflects Agency policy perspectives and vision. Provides CVO clearances or obtains the CVO’s explicit approval, as necessary, and follows-up in situations where revisions, further information, or additional staff work is required. Advises leadership on communication and engagement strategies of Agency policy perspectives and vision in international animal health and trade policy engagements. Identifies and implements strategic engagement and communication activities with other countries’ CVO’s and international animal health officials. Facilitates regular US Delegation meetings to increase understanding and trust in the US CVO portfolio. Serves as conduit for communication with the CVO for various internal and external audiences, including the US Delegation to (World Organization for Animal Health) WOAH.

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/.
• 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.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Work is performed primarily sedentary in an office setting.
• Work is conducted in demanding, urgent, and high-profile circumstances requiring skills in stress management and emotional control.

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-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: Demonstrating highly interpersonal communication skills and abilities to represent the views and policies of the Chief Veterinary Officer. Identify and implement strategic engagement and communication activities with other countries Chief Veterinary Officer and international animal health officials to further strategic goals related to international animal health and trade policies. Comprehensive knowledge of the methods, approaches, practices, policies, and regulatory bases for all phases of administrative and program management within the Agency. 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 251 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55402 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]