Job Details

Summary

This position is accountable for APHIS scientific and administrative plant regulatory activities within Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. Incumbent will have responsibility for directing the state activities and setting priorities that balance consideration of public and industry demands against those of economics, efficiencies, and available resources. This role will also serve as the primary point of contact for plant health protection and emergency management and response in the state.

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Duties

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• 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:
• Oversees effective permit and compliance program to mitigate risk at high-risk containment facilities, soil laboratories, and plant pest permittee establishments.
• Directs/administers federal export certification program for plants, plant products, and animal by-products within the state.
• Works cooperatively with State Plant Regulatory Officials (SPRO) to develop and document state emergency management plans.
• Develops performance standards and conducts performance reviews or evaluation of work for subordinates.
• Conducts annual and ongoing planning of operations, including forecasting future expenses.
• Manages invasive species which are covered under APHIS regulation or through Congressional direction.
• Responsible for administrative and program activities complying with Federal and State regulations and guidelines.
• Manages all facets of the personnel, finance and property management for Hawaii and Guam.
• Responsible for overseeing the identification of plant pest pathways through analysis and utilization of risk data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• 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 time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, 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 meet the following qualification requirement:

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:

• Assessing the severity and scope of an agricultural pest outbreak and determine response strategy.
• Safeguarding the health of agricultural plants and ecosystems by preventing, detecting, and responding to threats of agro-terrorism.
• Experience in consultations and negotiations with union officials, to ensure all parties abide by the agreements contained in the contracts.
• Negotiates and coordinates resolution/handling of critical programs with nonfederal government officials i.e., emergency programs dealing with significant threats to American agriculture production.
• Responsibility overseeing pre-departure programs.

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.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• 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.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.