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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.

Remote with geographical restrictions within local commuting area of a major airport of the CONUS 48 United States.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/11/2023 to 08/17/2023
Salary
$98,496 to - $158,432 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection,
Remote job
No
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-12083558-23-BR
Control number
742764500

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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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/
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • Occasional travel to field locations, training events and agricultural production settings is required.

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.

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:

  • Interpret or enforce laws, regulations, or management practices associated with genetically engineered organisms, plant pests, or weeds.
  • Resolve complex problems, analyze and evaluate data, make decisions or recommendations based on evaluation of analyses, and develop methods and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve the efficiency of processes associated with genetically engineered organisms, plant pests, or weeds.
  • Independently develop strategies to implement new guidelines, procedures and/or protocols associated with genetically engineered organisms, plant pests, or weeds. Evaluate the technical requirements, practicality, and potential impact of these initiatives and recommends methods to ensure seamless integration with existing operating procedures.
  • Lead projects or teams that complete assigned tasks to meet program goals, including balancing shifting priorities and contributing to work assignment planning.
  • Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with a variety of high-level Federal, State, university, and industry stakeholders to protect plant health.
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 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.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
  • Worksite Information: This is a 100% remote position that must be located within the following defined geographic options: remote with geographical restrictions within local commuting area of a major airport of the CONUS 48 United States. The duty station for a remote designation is the selectee's home and must be established within the defined geographic options prior to start date. The selectee is not required to regularly work from a government facility however, the option may be available.

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/12083558

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