Supervisory Agriculturist (National Science Program Manager)

Agency: United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Location: Raleigh, NC
Job Category: Full Time Positions
Salary: $106,815 to $163,335 per year
Last Date to Apply: 08/23/2018
Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/507954200
Description: As a Supervisory Agriculturist, National Science Program Manager, you will serve as a scientific expert for regulatory science, policy, and technical issues. You will also lead technical and scientific teams; plan; coordinate; and provide oversight of activities for long-range program direction to safeguard American agriculture from invasive species and facilitate safe trade. If selected, you will be part of the Science and Technology (S&T) management team. 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: Plans, organizes, and manages resources and subordinates that protect the U.S. from foreign pests and diseases. Lead technical and scientific teams in the identification, diagnostics, survey methods, trend analysis, information management, web-and app-based technical tools, treatment technology and risk management. Collaborates and negotiates to minimizes redundancy, maximizes efficiency, cost effectiveness, and progress in assessing new and emerging risks that threaten U. S. agriculture and the environment. Develops strategies to implement plans to promote the use of pest management technologies and facilitate state, regional, national, and international pests mitigation programs. Oversees project planning processes, develops metrics, and monitors goals and established objectives of Cooperative Agreements, Grants, Contracts, and other types of partnership agreements. Develops methodology to evaluate the relative merit of proposed projects, proposals, and programs have scientific relevance, research contributions, and cost effectiveness measured accurately. Writes position paper outlining current issues and problems, alternative approaches, risks, and benefits associated with alternatives, and potential costs of Agency inaction. Serve as an expert and spokesperson for the Agency before members of Congress and their staffs as well as local, national, and international media. Travel Required 50% or less - Travel for training and work assignments may be required.
Qualifications: Conditions of Employment US Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary period. Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing. Special Conditions: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation Successful completion of a 1 year probationary or trial period (if new hire to the Federal service) This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). 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 This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the duty location of the position. Employee participation in telework is at the discretion of the supervisor Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probation period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA Supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probation period In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent of this position will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. 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 in building and leading a team of scientists in order to respond to plant pest and disease outbreaks. Experience providing leadership, coordination, and direction of an agricultural program. Experience coordinating mission accomplishments with assigned staff 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. (Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.) FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: 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: Experience assessing the scope of an agricultural pest outbreak and developing and providing a response strategy from scientific/technical perspective. Experience communicating scientific advice and authoritative information regarding agricultural activities and issues to governmental agencies, academia, and key public interest groups. Experience managing or coordinating a large number of critical, high visibility programs at a given time. 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. Experience formulating immediate and long-range budgets based on past experience and anticipated workload. (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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Job Number: 41
Contact Person: Human Resources
Contact Phone: 612-336-3227
Contact eMail: MRP.APPLICATION.HELP@aphis.usda.gov