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Biological Scientist

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) Regulatory Operations Programs (ROP). The position assists the supervisor in the implementation and processing of inspection activities, interpreting legal standards, and recommending new and amended compliance regulations, and policies for strengthening the compliance program for regulated articles. You will also work with the supervisor and other staff to meet established key program performance and quality outcomes.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
07/15/2020 to 07/21/2020
Salary
$99,429 to - $129,261 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Sacramento, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DH-10860979-20-BR
Control number
573498700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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:
  • Involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of ROP biotechnology regulatory activities to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of program operations.
  • Coordinate with internal and external partners to accomplish compliance inspection throughout the region and provides technical expertise, advice, and feedback on work processes.
  • Reviews and analyze inspection reports submitted by field inspectors for potential compliance incidents, collaborating with the Compliance Evaluation and Enforcement Branch (CEEB).
  • Participate in coordinating with the BRS risk assessment staff on issuance of permits and notifications to ensure that design protocols and permit conditions are verifiable and enforceable.
  • Responsible for a quality evaluation of permit conditions, preparing a written record of quality issues, and the communication and resolution of completeness and quality issues with risk assessors.
  • Prepare scientifically informed guideline materials for the inspection program and all of ROP including; inspection manuals and materials, and presentations on inspection activities.
  • Develop and review publications and presentations in coordination with the BRS Policy, Program, and International Collaboration Branch and compliance inspection program partners.
  • Participate in interpreting legal standards and recognizing the need for new and amended compliance regulations, and policies for strengthening the compliance program for regulated articles.
  • Support quality assurance and quality control activities in the inspection program and all of ROP.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National
  • Males born 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.
  • 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/

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: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements applicants must meet the following:

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:

- Interpreting or enforcing laws, regulations, or management practices associated with genetically engineered organisms, plant pests, or weeds.
- Leading projects or teams that complete assigned tasks to meet program goals, including completing assignments within deadlines and assisting with planning work assignments.
- Developing and maintaining cooperative relationships with a variety of high-level Federal, State, university, and industry stakeholders.
- Analyzed, audited, and quality checked internal data; developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on improvements needed.

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

Please see Qualifications Section above for educational requirements.

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 rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants 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.
  • This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the duty location of the position. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any specialized experience and/or selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, your application is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10860979

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