Summary As an Agriculturist (National Operations Manager), you will provide scientific leadership and program management expertise on issues of importance to nation-wide Plant Protection & Quarantine programs, such as: providing staff advisory services, leading projects, programs, or segments, leading and participating in studies, cross functional working groups and experimental programs carried out within field operations and collaboration with all levels of Plant Protection & Quarantine management. 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: Performs in-depth analysis of program management issues of central importance to Animal Plant Health Inspection Service's mission to protect and serve U.S. agriculture. Serves on teams of plant health and quarantine experts in major long-term field projects to study and/or respond to new and emerging plant health risks. Provides advice and assistance in developing, directing, analyzing, and monitoring field operations and cooperative programs to detect, control, regulate, manage and eradicate plant pests nationwide. Cooperates with State and other officials in enforcing Federal and State quarantines regulating the movement of crops, products, equipment that may cause the spread of animal and plant pests. Maintains surveillance of quarantine activities to assess effectiveness. Analyzes changing traffic patterns of imported products, along with pest interception information. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. ORCombination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing in-depth analysis of program management issues of central importance to Animal Plant Health Inspection Service's mission to protect and serve U.S. agriculture and natural resources. Serving on teams of plant health and quarantine experts in major long-term field projects to study and/or respond to new and emerging plant health risks. Providing advice and assistance in developing, directing, analyzing, and monitoring field operations and cooperative programs to detect, control, regulate, manage and eradicate plant pests nationwide. Cooperating with State and other officials in enforcing Federal and State quarantines regulating the movement of crops, products, equipment that may cause the spread of animal and plant pests. Maintaining surveillance of quarantine activities to assess effectiveness. Analyzing changing traffic patterns of imported products, along with pest interception information. 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. 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. 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. 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. If selected for this position, you will remain in your current official duty station of record unless you are in the National Capital Region. Selectees with a current duty station in the National Capital Region defined as the District of Columbia; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties of Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties of Virginia and all cities and towns included within the outer boundaries of those counties will need a new duty station established prior to entrance on duty. Selectees located anywhere else will not be able to voluntarily change their duty station as part of this selection process.
