PDF versionJob Summary
You will serve as an Assistant Director of the National Taxonomists area within PPQ/Policy Management/PHP/Exclusion/ National Identification Services Staff (NIS), which provides the expertise to identify and coordinate the identification of plant pests intercepted at ports-of-entry from import and export cargo, passengers or carriers arriving from foreign origins and organisms from domestic APHIS surveys.
Major Duties
- The duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Serves as a resource to Agency program staff officers in pest identification issues and provides leadership, technical guidance, and technical supervision
- Manages PHP's seven national identification laboratories, which are staffed by scientists who report directly to the Assistant Director
- Coordinates taxonomic services with appropriate USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratories, other agencies, academic institutions, biological museums, and other pertinent institutions
- Provides leadership in developing and maintaining close personal contacts with research workers throughout the U.S. and other countries
- Recommends sponsored research on foreign plant pests to develop detection and identification techniques that will help PPQ prevent the entry of threatening pests
- Provides leadership in developing guidelines, and provides input into the evaluation and selection of applicants to fill PPQ Identifier vacancies
- Develops policy, procedures, guidelines, and standards to monitor pest identification effectiveness throughout the PPQ Identification function
- Develops policy, procedures, guidelines, and standards for monitoring pest interceptions in order to alert the appropriate officials of a possible need to change the entry status of certain commodities
- Establishes policy and procedures regarding the rearing of frequently intercepted pests which cannot be identified in the intercepted life stage
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: 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. 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: - Experience providing leadership, coordination, and direction of a scientific or agricultural program in matters related to plant pest taxonomy, detection, and identification techniques - Experience planning and controlling the use of resources to meet immediate and long-range objectives and performing the necessary decision making and problem solving required for program execution and/or laboratory - Uses findings of specialized studies, new analytical developments, and modified processes to resolve novel, obscure, or highly controversial problems that affect the program area - Communicate tactfully, orally and in writing, using a diversity of strategies, tactics and means, influence decisions, to a diverse audience, including senior level managers, federal and industry partners, stakeholders, and customers regarding policy and operational activities 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.
Pay Range
$117,191.00 - $152,352.00