This position is located in the Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services, Division of Biodefense and Security. The division leads biodefense and related national security matters, by coordinating unified policies/responses and promoting information sharing on biodefense and security matters of national significance. You will serve as a Biological Scientist, helping advise Agency and Department officials on key management and program issues and decision-making processes regarding biodefense.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Forecasts upcoming biodefense priorities and/or problems and assists in project-oriented assignments for program operations. Monitors the status of projects and actions and provides periodic status reports in various forms and follows-up with situations where revisions, further information, or staff work is required. Supports ERCS/ DBS on One Health issues in its work with the Public Health Emergency Countermeasures Enterprise and other entities. Builds linkages with international, regional, and State managers to address policy and related issues, emphasizing cooperative solutions and actions to facilitate heightened awareness and problem solving. Coordinates and manages special projects from Agency and Department officials, helps compile reports, draft administrative documents, and formulate recommendations involving substantial agency resources. Serves as liaison between the APHIS and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Security (DHS OHS) on food, agriculture, and veterinary activities.

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/.
• 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.
• 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.
• Must receive and maintain a favorably adjudicated National Security, Secret Clearance.

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: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. 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: Building linkages with internal and external stakeholders to address scientific policy and related issues, emphasizing cooperative solutions and actions. Coordinating and managing special projects from Agency and Department officials: helping compile reports, drafting administrative documents, and formulating recommendations involving substantial agency resources. Working directly with One Health, which is the approach that recognizes that human health is closely connected to the health of animals, plants, and our shared environment; and utilizing the systematic approach to improve the health of people and animals. Developing and presenting facts, to help prepare briefings, to produce professional publications, and to respond to written and verbal inquiries from high level executives. An organizational and structural understanding of the mission of Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Security. 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]