Supervisory Agriculturist (State Plant Health Director)

Full Job Description

If selected for this position, you will be responsible for APHIS scientific and administrative plant regulatory activities within the state(s), to include: pest and disease risk analysis; exclusion and prevention effective export certification program for plant products and animal by-products; design and implementation of survey programs; eradication of pest or disease outbreaks; and conducting regulatory programs for domestic pests.

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: Building and leading a team of employees in order to respond to plant pest and disease outbreaks.

Building consensus to ensure support for pest management programs by employees and external stakeholders.

Managing the fiscal and human resources including work unit or program budgets, employee and labor relations, and overall employee performance management.

Defining objectives, interprets policies and determines their effect on program needs; independently plans, designs and carries out the work to be done and serve as a technical authority.

Performing assignments that involve initiating, formulating and planning, as well as executing major studies, or continuing specialized projects for a plant pest and disease program.

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:
• Oversees the identification of plant pest pathways through analysis and utilization of risk data.
• Contributes to effective outreach programs to importers, travelers and industry on importation requirements.
• Directs/administers federal export certification program for plants, plant products, and animal by-products within the state.
• Cooperates with State Plant Regulatory Officials (SPRO) to develop and document state emergency management plans.
• Determines strategies to control or manage invasive species based on risk and data analysis, chemical or biological control, and availability of funding.
• Manages all administrative and programmatic activities while complying with appropriate Federal and state regulations and guidelines.