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Biological Scientist (Senior Regulatory Specialist)

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

Summary

This position is located in the Compliance Evaluation and Enforcement Branch (CEEB) in the Regulatory Operations Programs (ROP) of Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS). The primary purpose of the position is to develop, implement, and evaluate the compliance enforcement aspect of the ROP. You will perform assigned work within this program to meet established key performance and quality outcomes to ensure the program's progress toward achieving the performance outcomes.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/15/2020 to 07/21/2020
Salary
$102,663 to - $133,465 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Riverdale, MD
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - 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-10860955-20-BR
Control number
573515500

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:
  • Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the CEEB activities.
  • Provide expertise and perform biological reviews and analyses of high-complexity/seriousness compliance incidents submitted by field inspectors, staff, third parties, and the regulated community.
  • Question the validity and accuracy of information obtained in high-complexity compliance incidents, accomplishes final determinations regarding violations that are scientifically and legally sound.
  • Track, handle, and close all assigned high-complexity/seriousness compliance incident case files and maintains complete and orderly incident case file records.
  • Utilize project management skills to plan, organize, manage, lead, and control resources to achieve goals related to large-scale incidents of noncompliance.
  • Service APHIS programs, regulated entities, and external Federal, State, and local officials to address incidents that require investigations.
  • Contribute to the analysis of information, such a violation trends, for presentations on enforcement related activities to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Work with the regulatory specialists and the supervisor in the development of training or outreach activities on enforcement.
  • Participate in the implementation of quality assurance and quality control activities and actively contributes to the development of new strategies to enhance and/or improve the program's activities.

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:

- Enforcing laws, regulations, or management practices associated with genetically engineered organisms, plant pests, or weeds.
- Leading projects/teams that complete assigned tasks to meet program goals, including completing assignments within deadlines.
- Developing/maintaining collaborative relationships with Federal/State partners, Universities, and industry stakeholders to protect plants.
- Resolve complex problems, analyzes/evaluates data, develops efficiencies to improve products and services, and makes decisions or recommendations.
- Independently perform assignments that develop and implement new guidelines and procedures to improve compliance oversight.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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/10860955

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