As Division Director, the incumbent oversees and manages the multitude of responsibilities assigned to the Laboratory Approval and Testing Division (LATD) related to developing and administering laboratory (chemical and biological) approval programs; manages the full range of activities of the National Science Laboratories; provides advice and counsel to the Deputy Administrator and Agency officials regarding program operations; and coordinates program activities.

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: Develops and directs the implementation of program and administrative policies, goals, objectives, and priorities governing the operation of the Division’s field laboratories and laboratory approval service. Represents the Agency in presentations of such programs to Federal and State officials, academia, industry, and trade organizations. Demonstrates skills in communication both oral and written as well as a thorough understanding of user fee programs. Develops short-term and long-range proposals concerning policies, procedures and methods governing the administration of the overall activities of the Division. Directs studies for the development of new, improved, or revised procedures and techniques for the analysis of food products and other agricultural commodities. Exercises overall authority and responsibility for methods development to meet agency goals and satisfy client needs for testing analyses. Conducts periodic reviews to assure that the quality assurance programs are operating effectively, resolves all administrative and technical issues regarding program operation.

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 E-Verify at 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.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 0401 SERIES: 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 in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1301 SERIES: Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. or Combination of education and experience: Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in 1 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1320 SERIES: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. or Combination of education and experience: Course work equivalent to a major as shown in 1 above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1382 SERIES: Degree: food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science. The course work must have been comprised of at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and physical sciences, and included at least 20 semester hours in food technology and closely related subjects, or 20 semester hours in subjects that can be applied directly to food technology. or Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, including the course work specified, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-14 GRADE LEVEL FOR THE 0401/1301/1320/1382JOB SERIES: 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: Overseeing one or more programs in a laboratory testing and approval environment to include budget management, supervision of employees, workload, and long-term goals of the program. Analyzing the performance and efficiency of programs to develop and implement solutions to improve operations and serve customer needs. Leading the evaluation and development of organizational strategies and implementing plans consistent with the short and long-term interests of the organization. Advising, consulting, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders where laboratory testing and approval programs are involved. Maintaining budgets including allocated and trusted funds for programs and ensuring funds are managed effectively. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. FOR THE GS-15 GRADE LEVEL FOR THE 0401/1301/1320/1382JOB SERIES: 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: Leading visional, logistical, and financial direction of laboratory testing and approval operations, including workforce, workload, and subordinate supervisors, in delivering mission results and serving stakeholder needs. Prioritizing, anticipating, and developing effective and timely decisions and initiatives, perceiving the impact and implications of decisions using technical expertise and political and organizational savviness, to improve and streamline operations, ensure relevant services, and effectively manage programs and serve customer needs. Leading the evaluation and development of organizational strategies and implementing plans consistent with the short and long-term interests of the organization. Advising, consulting, collaborating, and negotiating with Federal/State agencies, domestic stakeholders and collaborators, foreign officials, and customers where laboratory testing and approval programs are involved. Developing and maintaining multiple budgets, including allocated and trusted funds, for complex programs, and identifying budget priorities to manage funds effectively. 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 Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]