Summary As an Agriculturist, Foreign Program Specialist, you will be assigned to the Pre-clearance and Offshore Program (POP), for detecting and mitigating the risk of invasive pests or diseases associated with foreign based pre-clearance program commodities (fruits, vegetables, and plant material) to facilitate safe trade and result in an expedited clearance upon arrival at the U.S. ports of entry. It includes temporary assignments that may last up to 180 days to locations throughout the world. Responsibilities 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: When assigned to temporary duty foreign locations, conducts commodity inspections, monitors and evaluates treatments, and certifies consignments of agricultural commodities for shipment to the U.S. Interprets risk factors, derives action plans to mitigate pest risk, and assists in developing new policy on existing and emerging pre-clearance commodity inspection and phytosanitary treatment programs. Collects, analyzes, and interprets program data and associated information to recommend operational changes to a preclearance commodity inspection and phytosanitary treatment program. Represents the Agency in international meetings with foreign National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) officials and managers in technical and operational program components. Plans and oversees the work of foreign employees, host country plant quarantine inspectors, and/or cooperator personnel assigned to the pre-clearance commodity inspection and phytosanitary treatment program. Contributes to the development of standard operating procedures, operational work plans, and job aids pertaining to: inspection, sampling, phytosanitary equipment calibration, phytosanitary treatment applications, and system approaches to manage pests and diseases. Serves on teams of plant health and quarantine experts that study and/or respond to new, emerging, and established plant health threats and assess the cost and effectiveness of risk mitigation programs. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 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 requirements, applicants must demonstrate the below: FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Monitor program operations and provide recommendations for resolution to colleagues, supervisors, and managers related to problems or challenges. Lead working groups or team projects. Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures, work plans, job aids, and other documents pertaining to program topics. Communicate (both written and orally) with representatives from federal or state agencies, foreign governments, and other stakeholders regarding program topics. OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in the fields of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. 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 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months. (Appointment may be extended up to 10 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
