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Posted: March 23, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Deputy Assistant Administrator

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Department of Agriculture

Fresh

Location

Salary

$204,122 - $216,010

per year

Closes

April 13, 2026More USDA jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This high-level executive role in the Food Safety and Inspection Service involves overseeing operations to ensure safe food production, managing teams, and driving improvements in government efficiency.

It's ideal for experienced leaders passionate about public service, committed to constitutional principles, and skilled in resource management and team leadership.

The position demands a strong track record of achieving results in complex organizational settings.

Key Requirements

  • Demonstrated commitment to the U.S. Constitution, rule of law, and American founding principles
  • Proven ability to manage resources, budgets, and pursue efficiency through technology and process improvements
  • Strong technical competence, problem-solving skills, and resilience in producing high-quality work
  • Experience leading and inspiring teams to meet organizational goals, fostering accountability and high performance
  • Track record of achieving results through strategic initiatives and program accomplishments
  • Resume limited to 2 pages demonstrating Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to food safety and inspection
  • Senior Executive Service (SES) eligibility or equivalent executive experience in government or related fields

Full Job Description

This position is designated as SES, General. USDA structures its SES positions into position levels. This is a position level 2 with a salary range of $204,122 to $216,010 per year.

Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards.

Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/ for additional information and benefits for SES employees. The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY.

DO NOT submit separate Executive Core Qualifications/Technical Qualifications in lieu of a resume.

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.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES using 0.8-inch margins and 11-point font.

Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise.

They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must address the ECQs.

Your resume must address each ECQ and should describe your experiences and accomplishments/results.

Your resume should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions.

NOTE: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs.

1.

Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

(Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness) 2.

Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

(Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology) 3.

Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

(Competencies: Technical Skills, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience) 4.

Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement) 5.

Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

(Competencies: Operation Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking) For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit SES Executive Core Qualifications.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ): In addition to the ECQs, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet the following technical qualifications: (1) Demonstrate knowledge of public policy, regulations, and statutory requirements concerning food programs and food safety.

(2) Demonstrate knowledge of the meat, poultry, and egg products industry, and its practices, including analysis of new technologies, ingredients, labeling, or regulatory impacts.

(3) Demonstrate experience leading development or implementation of changes to food safety policies or regulations. Major Duties:

  • Leads the development of Agency mission, goals, and policies by collecting and analyzing information, including economic data, to inform policy decisions develop regulations and guidance and improve program systems, standards, and methods.
  • Works with the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) to ensure that policies, programs, standards, and methods developed have a sound scientific basis.
  • Works with the Office of Field Operations to develop procedures and methods for inspecting livestock, poultry, and processed meat, poultry, and egg products.
  • Establishes and modifies product standards, regulations for inspection systems, and instructions for inspection procedures for existing and new systems and programs.
  • Leads public and private sector collaborative efforts on risk management and reduction strategies for foodborne hazards to public health.
  • With OPHS, develops policies and programs for controlling residues, microbial pathogens, nutrients, food additives, and other regulated food ingredients in inspected establishments and retail operations based on scientific data and information

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/23/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: FSIS-SES-2026-8047