Agriculturist (Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist)

Full Job Description

As an Agriculturist (Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist), you share responsibilities for providing program and policy support/guidance to plant health programs administered by the Imports, Regulations, and Manuals (IRM) unit of the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); specifically, activities related to foreign and domestic plant quarantine policies and regulations regarding the import and interstate movement of plant products.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including 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: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must meet the following qualification requirement: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience interpreting plant pest and quarantine regulations and policies in order to provide guidance to colleagues and customers.

Experience working with personnel from other Federal and State agencies to implement regulatory actions.

Experience recognizing and communicating with leadership about emerging issues or potential complications in implementation of Program policy and operations.

Experience drafting appropriate documentation that supports Agency actions and regulatory policy decisions.

Knowledge of the Federal rulemaking process as it relates to the Federal Administrative Procedure Act, the Plant Protection Act, and other statutory and regulatory authorities under which APHIS, PPQ, PHP operate.

Note: There is no education substitution for specialized experience at 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. Major Duties:

• 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:
• Establishes and carries out policies and program objectives relating to the safe importation and safe domestic movement of fruits, vegetables, plant products, and other regulated articles.
• Provides leadership and coordination in the science-based development and modification of regulations, policies, objectives, standards, guidelines and procedures.
• Serves as a principal evaluator and coordinator to provide leadership in the drafting of regulatory work plans for the development of formal regulatory publications that relate to new and existing quarantines and regulations for PPQ programs.
• Evaluates, recommends, and implements effective import and domestic policies that are operationally feasible and satisfy international obligations while facilitating safe trade and interstate movement of plants and plant products.
• Provides technical interpretation, information, and guidance to staff and to domestic plant quarantine officials, nurserymen, exporters, importers, the general public, and other interested parties.
• Serves as a nationally recognized consultant and advisor to other APHIS officials concerning foreign quarantine requirements pertaining to the importation of plants and plant products into the U.S. and territories.
• Represents the Programs and APHIS at national and international meetings with full authority as subject matter expert concerning the adoption or modification of rules, regulations, and procedures of regulatory, domestic and import policy.