The Program Specialist will review import/export documents covering a full range of animals, animal products and prepare and review documents and permits for completion by the Veterinary Medical Officer position.

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: Provide technical advice and training to VETS Export Document Examiners, handling complex and controversial situations. Receive, review, and evaluate incoming/outgoing animal, poultry, pet bird, animal germplasm, and animal product import/export certificates and permits for completeness and accuracy. Consult with clients throughout the United States and the world concerning certificates and import permits. Communicates and coordinates with importers and states in the creation of import permits. Maintain a variety of animal import and administrative files and disposes of such records according to current disposition schedules and agency requirements. Respond to inquiries from permit applicants regarding that the status of animals and animal products certificates and permits and certificate submission procedures. Create, organize, and ensure completeness of animal import records. Monitor and manage import request and animal release workflow and associated documentation within a web-based VS import management system.

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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• 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.
• This work is primarily sedentary and places no special physical demands on the incumbent.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Producing and filing various routine correspondence, reports, contracts, permits, etc. Reviewing forms, documents, and letters for accuracy. Using established databases such as Access and Excel to enter and update information. Responding directly to inquiries from the general public regarding technical information. Reviewing detailed information on applications, permit requests or certificates for accuracy to include researching information on the Internet in order to respond to inquiries. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in Business Management, Marketing Finance, Accounting or similar field of study. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Researching, interpreting, and applying national and international rules, regulations, guidelines, policies, directives, etc., related to veterinary accreditation, and import/export activities. Reviewing detailed information on applications, permit requests or certificates. This would include interpreting policies and regulation as it relates to animal health (ex. Applications that are submitted to meet regulations, animal health certificates for import/export). Creating, developing, and maintaining databases and spreadsheets such as Access and Excel to include retrieving and correcting information. Identifying unacceptable results, facilitating processes, recognizing patterns of inappropriate activity, and responding to customer needs in solving problems through the use of general knowledge of veterinary terminology, animal health conditions, and industry practices regulated by import or export programs. Analyzing incomplete or conflicting data to make decisions based on knowledge of agency policy and precedent. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in Business, Business Administration, Business Management, Communications, Management, Organizational Management, Public Administration or other related fields.. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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 USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]