The Trade Director assigned to the Phytosanitary Issues Management (PIM) staff, plays a major leadership role with respect to planning, coordinating, and directing the resolution of plant health issues involving import and export trade in plants and plant products. This is a 100% remote position that must be located within the cities and/or counties listed in the vacancy announcement.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Primary responsibility is serving as frontline USDA manager for addressing phytosanitary concerns affecting agricultural trade. As a U.S. negotiator leads, participates in, or supports intensive pre-negotiation preparation and strategy development. During trade negotiations plays a major role in establishing and maintaining the tenor of discussions on phytosanitary matters for which APHIS is responsible. Point of contact between the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) staff, International Services, Veterinary Services, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), other Federal/State Agencies, and industry on trade issue management matters. Provides strategic advice to other trade managers in USDA, ensuring that trade policies conform to the international standards of the IPPC and NAPPO. Plans, coordinates, or conducts studies relevant to the analysis of trade issues involved in the management of APHIS programs. Serves as a resource person to APHIS in identifying emerging scientific issues and modem technical capabilities to be applied to phytosanitary trade issue management. Represents the Assistant Deputy Administrator/Director at meetings and conferences with other U.S. agencies, State governments, industry and producer organizations. Drafts, reviews and approves controlled correspondence concerning PPQ trade issue management.

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.
• During trade negotiations and site visits, occasional risks and discomforts may be experienced in working around pesticides and various types of industrial/agricultural equipment outside in adverse weather conditions.
• A writing exercise may be required. See "How You Will Be Evaluated" for details.

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, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following: FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the steps of the Federal rule making process related to the Federal Administrative Procedure Act, the Plant Protection Act, and other statutory and regulatory authorities. Familiar with the Federal Register notice and comment process. Communicate effectively and tactfully to mediate and resolve complex problems with domestic and international stakeholders, industry groups, or non-governmental organizations. Considers and plans for possible outcomes, both best case scenarios and acceptable alternatives. Participate in or lead pre-negotiation and/or bilateral negotiations with foreign governments by applying international agreements such as WTO, IPPC, NAFTA, with particular attention to the plant health aspects of these agreements. Lead consultations with domestic and international stakeholders, industry groups, or non-governmental organizations. A thorough grasp of the cultural intricacies and customs that are an inherent part of high level international negotiations. Demonstrated by researching cultural or organizational norms before engaging others, and willingness to change tactics or style to accommodate others, in order to accomplish the goal. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: 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]