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Agriculturist (Permit Policy Specialist/Quantitative Risk Analyst)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Fort Collins, CO

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Adjudication, Agricultural Science, Agriculture, Analysis Skills, Analytical Method Development, Background Investigation, Biology, Botany, Business Intelligence, Chemistry, Communication Skills, Compensation Management, Data Analysis, Disease, Entomology, Environmental Economics, Federal Government, Federal Laws and Regulations, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Government, Homeland Security, Legal, Management Strategy, Mathematics, Natural Resources, Operational Audit, Operational Support, Operations Processes, Peace Corps, Plant Pathology, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Program Evaluation, Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA), Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Reporting Skills, Resource Management, Risk, Risk Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistics, Technical Delivery, Technical Presentation, Trade Shows, Training/Teaching, Trend Analysis, United States Citizen, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Volunteer Experience, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Fort Collins, CO
POSTED
1 day ago
Summary

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), is seeking professionals to support its mission of safeguarding U.S. agricultural and natural resources from economically and environmentally significant plant pests and diseases. Positions may be filled as Quantitative Risk Analyst or Regulatory Permit Analyst, depending on qualification and contribute to national plant health programs through risk analysis, regulatory decision-making, permitting, data analysis, program evaluation, and operational support.

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Duties

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  • 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:
  • Plan, organize, and conduct complex analyses of pathway trends, operational efficiencies, and pest risks associated with the movement of plants, organisms, and commodities.
  • Independently develop, improve, and apply analytical and statistical methods to improve risk characterization and inform science-based management strategies.
  • Review, analyze, and issue authorizations for the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of regulated articles (e.g., plant pests, biocontrol organisms, Federal Noxious Weeds, and soil).
  • Participate in establishing, interpreting, and carrying out policies and program objectives related to regulated articles.
  • Recommend changes to regulations, quarantines, and procedures based on scientific evaluation and risk assessment.
  • Develop and update technical information, such as manual revisions, circulars, fact sheets, and web based content, and provides clear, science based advice and guidance.
  • Serve as a technical specialist and agency representative at meetings, site visits, and trade shows and other stakeholder engagements.
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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • 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.
  • May be required to pass a background investigation (BI) and mandatory reinvestigations to satisfy the requirements for access to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
  • The current requirement for access to ACE is the favorable completion of a Tier 4, High Risk Public Trust BI; and successful periodic reinvestigation every 5 years.
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: 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.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Demonstrated experience of agricultural and biological sciences, or mathematical statistics, or related disciplines (e.g., plant science, entomology, plant pathology) to integrate scientific knowledge into regulatory and compliance programs.
  • Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying federal regulations, guidelines, and scientific literature to regulatory decisions, risk assessments, and program development.
  • Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative methods, including statistical analysis, risk assessment methodologies, or geographic information systems (GIS). Originate new methodologies and solve novel scientific problems.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including preparing scientific reports, delivering technical presentations, and explaining regulatory decisions to general audiences.
  • Demonstrated professional knowledge of mathematical statistics including application of advanced statistical modeling, quantitative risk assessment, and development of new analytical methods.
Note: There is no education substitution for 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.

Education

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.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
  • Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.


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.



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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.

About the Company

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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service