Biologist / Biological Scientist / Agriculturist

Summary: The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking professionals to develop safe and effective methods for reducing agricultural and biological risks. The role involves implementing regulatory activities, maintaining communication with partners, and preparing programmatic reviews to assess safeguards and mitigation measures. Responsibilities: - Participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating regulatory activities, including reviewing inspection reports, identifying compliance issues, and supporting the development of new or amended regulations - Maintain ongoing communication with internal and external partners to ensure inspection quality, gather scientific and technical information, and manage program data and records - Prepare programmatic reviews to assess safeguards and mitigation measures - Recommend new policies, standards, and operating procedures - Prepare and deliver technical and general briefings to varied audiences - Analyze technical information to recommend protocol revisions and help resolve program management issues Required Qualifications: - Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, entomology, or related disciplines appropriate to the position - 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 - 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: Experience applying laws, regulations, and established compliance inspection procedures, including conducting agricultural inspections and analyzing inspection reports to identify potential violations or needed corrective actions - Experience assessing complex operational or regulatory issues, selecting appropriate remedies, and modifying or adapting established protocols, procedures, or methodologies to fit unique program needs or field conditions - Experience planning, establishing, and monitoring projects or program goals by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting technical, scientific, or regulatory information - Experience evaluating and inspecting containment facilities or laboratories - Coordinating technical training for internal and external stakeholders - 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position - 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 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 - 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) - You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience Required Skills: Biological sciences, Agriculture, Natural resource management, Chemistry, Entomology, Regulatory compliance, Agricultural inspections, Inspection report analysis, Project planning, Technical training coordination, Containment facility evaluation, Laboratory inspection, Technical information analysis