Play a major role in coordinating, articulating, and recommending regulatory and operational policies and decisions for importation of plants, plant products, and plants for planting for PPQ, especially for activities relating to pest risk management, clean stock programs, accreditation, systems approaches, agricultural quarantine inspection and preclearance. Apply scientific and regulatory knowledge to analyze, recommend, and implement practical and effective strategies to reduce pest risk.
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: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, entomology, 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate the below: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Leading complex and significant studies in pest biology, pest ecology, plant pathology, or integrated pest management that directly support plant pest risk assessments or regulatory decision-making. Conducting evaluations through integrating critical literature review, database searches, and data analysis, combined with expertise in pest or microbial taxonomy, biology, and ecological interactions, to assess plant pest risks and potential impacts on U.S. agriculture and natural resources, in accordance with appropriate regulatory frameworks. Working with or within plant health-related containment facilities (e.g., laboratories, growth chambers, greenhouses), including performing research, conducting inspections, or assisting in the design of containment strategies to mitigate the spread of plant pests, pathogens or biological control organisms. Resolving novel, obscure, or highly controversial plant health issues by applying findings from specialized research, developing new analytical approaches, or modifying existing processes. Consulting with and advising federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, academic institutions, and other cooperators on the identification, distribution, host range, potential impact, and regulatory status of insects, mites, bees and pollinators, bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes, or biological control organisms. 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.
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:
Determining the level and type of risk mitigation needed to achieve the appropriate level of protection on plants and plant product imports, including further restriction or prohibition on imports.
Develops effective risk management options and strategies to help gain or retain market access for U.S. plants and plant products situations where a pest is a barrier to trade.
Works closely with team members from various units and programs to evaluate and recommend effective pest risk management that is operationally feasible and meets needs of agency.
Provides expert opinion and advice on the integration of techniques for sampling, inspection, and other risk mitigations for imported agricultural commodities.
Coordinates, writes and reviews Agency reports, especially risk management documents, and regulatory work plans relating to risk management.
Represents USDA in international fora. Serves as a technical consultant in developing international standards relating to pest risk management.
Makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be managed promptly.
Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, and directives, and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that may come up
Ensures that the Agency's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are integrated into the strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.