Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer / Microbiologist / Biological Scientist (Assistant Director)

Summary

This position is located in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy, Regionalization Evaluation Services. The incumbent serves as Assistant Director for animal disease status and regionalization activities related to 1) requests from foreign Governments to export animals and animal products to the United States and 2) the export of animals and animal products from all areas of the United States that are unaffected by specific diseases.

Duties

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• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Responsible for evaluating comprehensive risk analyses that inform regulatory decision-making and assists in the development of policies, priorities, and procedures concerning the importation and exportation of animals and animal-derived commodities.
• Plays a major leadership role in managing and resolving trade issues associated with the importation and exportation of animals and animal products.
• Evaluates and analyzes information relating to the animal disease status of exporting regions/countries to determine the risk of introducing animal diseases into the United States by way of animals and animal products imported from those regions.
• Evaluating risk analyses and other documents written by staff officers,and recommends and/or establishes restrictions, certification requirements, diagnostic test procedures, and other risk-mitigating measures necessary to reduce the risk of disease.
• Confirms the coordination of site visits to verify information provided by exporting regions and that obtaining additional data is done appropriately and may participate, as needed.
• Serves as the main point of contact, along with the lead staff officer, for regulatory changes resulting from the analysis of regionalization requests.
• Develops objectives, measurement criteria, and data requirements for evaluating the animal health status of exporting regions and/or the risk of importing specific commodities from those regions.
• Provides authoritative scientific expertise in domestic regionalization activities to delineate areas affected by specific diseases and to facilitate the export of animals and animal products from areas that are free of such diseases.
• Evaluates responses to questionnaires and inquiries from foreign Governments regarding specific animal diseases.
• Evaluates reports on the occurrence of livestock diseases in the United States and reviews technical information packages on U.S. infrastructure and livestock diseases to provide to trading partners.
• Develops objectives, measurement criteria, and data requirements related to specific animal diseases and trade restrictions.
• Evaluates information identified by staff officers regarding epidemiologic, environmental, ecologic, geographic, and other factors associated with the animal health status of regions.
• Defines data needs and identifies information sources both within and outside of APHIS. Gathers, evaluates, and analyzes data relating to specific diseases and defines their geographic distribution within the United States.
• Coordinates and is responsible for managing animal health regionalization issues assigned, providing information, when requested, and serving as the main contact for regulatory changes resulting from analysis of regionalization requests
• Serves as a consultant to industry and government officials at various levels on the regulatory process, program policies, and risk analysis methodology associated with regionalization for animal diseases.
• Provides subject matter opinions and guidance in unusual situations encountered by APHIS field operational staff engaged in import and/or export program activities.
• The incumbent performs other duties as assigned by the Director. Supports the Director and provides subject matter expertise in areas of concern to the unit.
• Attends meetings and participates in calls as a Regionalization subject matter expert and for other topics, as appropriate.
• Supervises unit personnel, as assigned. Supports leadership of the unit by acting as Director, as needed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Biologist (0401): Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;

OR 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. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Microbiologist (0403)

Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.

OR Combination of education and experience: of post high school education with courses equivalent to a major in microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Veterinary Medical Officer (0701): All applicants to 0701 series must meet the Basic Requirement outlined in the Education section below.

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Supervising subject matter experts assigning and reviewing the work of others to ensure compliance with quality standards and timelines.
• Developing performance metrics to evaluate direct reports and reward good performance while identifying training needs to help poor performers.
• Evaluating the animal health status of foreign regions to establish eligibility for trade.
• Conducting inspections of varied types of locations and facilities in countries where imported products originate to identify conditions and practices pertaining to risk assessment evaluations.
• Writing briefing and decision papers to inform senior leaders of program objectives and issues that could impact international trade.
• Supporting the Director in management of the Unit.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

• 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

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA website has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools. AVMA website:

OR

Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education must meet one of the following requirements: a) Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG); b) Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT); OR c) Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. An AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college must have accepted the final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g., residency or graduate program).In addition, graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below: a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE. b) Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; OR c) Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing.Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must submit test results with their application. Results of more than one test or testing session cannot be combined to meet the standard.

Waiver Provision : English language proficiency assessments may be waived for qualified job applicants whose native language is English (i.e., the official or common language of an individual's country of birth is English) who submit a diploma or other official documentation as proof of graduation from a high (secondary) school where the entire curriculum and educational programs were taught in the English language for the entire 3 or 4 years of full-time attendance.

Required Proof of Education For 0701 Series, you must submit proof of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree or Equivalent :

• A legible copy of college transcripts showing a conferred DVM degree from a veterinary medical school or college accredited by the AVMA Council on Education. As an alternative, proof of possession of a current permanent unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States can be submitted as provisional proof of eligibility. If selected, an official college transcript showing a conferred DVM degree from a veterinary medical school or college accredited by the AVMA Council on Education will be required prior to entering on duty.
• Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education must submit a copy of their DVM transcripts and required documents (i.e., proof of ECFVG certification; or copy of Veterinary license; letter documenting acceptance into an advanced degree, post graduate, residency or graduate program at an AVMA accredited veterinary medical school; AND an English proficiency score report documenting required acceptable minimum scores, from TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL) that prove basic qualification for this position as stated in OPM's qualification standards.
• Applicants who are substituting education or advanced training for specialized experience must submit: 1) an unofficial transcript showing a conferred master's degree in a qualifying specialty or 2) a letter or certificate documenting the completion of at least two years of an internship, residency or fellowship in a specific discipline or specialty. All education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
• All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• 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.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting. However, much of the work is conducted in demanding, urgent, and high profile circumstances requiring the incumbent to exercise skills in stress management and emotional control.
• This position is subject to unscheduled overnight details of undetermined lengths in the event of animal health emergencies or other conditions requiring immediate response, as required by the Agency (extensive periods of time may be designated for overnight details).

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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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.