This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/514211300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
If you would like to work for a premier agency focused on enhancing the quality of life for the American people by supporting production of agriculture and food safety then the USDA is for you. To learn more about our agency, our exciting mission, vision and guiding principles, please visit http://www.usda.gov.
Learn more about this agency10/11/2018 to 10/31/2018
$126,148 - $189,600 per year
SL 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - At the agency's discretion.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
00
0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences
No
Yes
AG-37-2019-0006
514211300
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), provides expert scientific analysis, advice, data, and recommendations on all matters involving public health and science of concern to FSIS. OPHS describes, defines, and analyzes the entire spectrum of foodborne diseases in the human population, links them back to the food animal population, and determines the health effects of exposure to hazards associated with the consumption of meat, poultry, and egg products; maintains liaison with other Federal, State, and local public health officials; leads and coordinates all tracebacks, recalls, and other responses to illness outbreaks; designs, develops, and oversees passive and active surveillance systems to collect data and information regarding foodborne illness and pathogens and analyzes such information to assess the efficacy of prevention measures in the human population; provides chemical and toxicological expertise, leadership and quality assurance and control for the Agency; and oversees Field Laboratory Services for the Agency.
The incumbent of the position serves as senior advisor on chemistry, toxicology, and related sciences concerning critical matters of public health and food safety that affect the mission of OPHS, especially on such visible and sensitive issues as drug residues, hormones, pesticides, and environmental contaminants in meat and poultry products. The incumbent coordinates work relating to such issues among the OPHS divisions, other FSIS components, and other USDA Agencies. The incumbent provides the Assistant Administrator, OPHS, with authoritative advice and guidance on chemistry, toxicology, and related sciences, and interacts with the Office of the Secretary and other high level external groups including the White House Office of Science and Technology, as well as with industry and consumer stakeholder groups.
As senior advisor for all public health related activities relating to chemistry and toxicology, the incumbent provides scientific direction regarding food safety and public health and assesses the effectiveness of strategies and interventions to insure food safety. S/he cultivates and maintains contacts in the scientific community as well as with industry, with consumer groups, and with professional and academic institutions. When appearing before or otherwise interacting with these groups, the incumbent serves as the personal representative of the Assistant Administrator, OPHS, expressing views and providing authoritative technical information on important food safety program matters.
S/he fosters and develops cooperative relationships with Federal, State, local, private, and foreign agencies in an effort to complement, supplement, and otherwise enlarge the capability of the programs within the parameters of authorized scientific missions and goals. As appropriate, the incumbent represents OPHS in dealings with international organizations, such as intergovernmental or world health organizations, on scientific issues related to chemistry and toxicology as they affect public health.
S/he coordinates all OPHS program efforts relating to critical issues involving chemistry, toxicology, and related sciences, and coordinates with other FSIS components and other USDA Agencies on these issues. S/he serves as the primary contact for all related scientific activities.
Collaborates with other Agency officials to ensure that decisions made and actions taken fully consider and respond to the interests and needs of their programs and organizations.
The incumbent performs critical analyses of key technical programs and program components to ensure conformance with all food safety initiatives and major program policies as they relate to chemistry and toxicology, and to identify options available for attaining optimum effectiveness.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Travel will be required
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Qualifications. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant. Mandatory Technical Qualifications must be addressed separately.
Each applicant is required to submit a comprehensive narrative statement addressing each mandatory qualifications individually. The narrative must demonstrate the necessary level of skills, characteristics, qualities, specialized knowledge, and technical competence that would indicate successful performance in this Senior Level position. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that emphasize the applicants level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of assignments, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. Applicants who fail to provide this narrative statement in the format requested will not be considered.
Applicants must submit a resume. In addition, applicants are required to submit written narratives addressing each of the mandatory technical qualifications (TQs). Narratives should not exceed (2) pages for each TQ. Responses must demonstrate possession of the TQs and be supported by your resume. Please provide examples that are clear and concise, emphasize your level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, accomplishments, sensitivity of issues handled, policy initiatives and level of contacts.
Failure to submit a resume and written narratives addressing each TQ separately, will result in elimination from further consideration.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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): All applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following TQs. You must address each TQ separately. Each TQ narratives must not exceed two (2) pages. Please give examples and explain the complexity of the knowledge possessed and the sensitivity of the issued you handled.
1. Describe your experience, leadership, and accomplishments in identifying, understanding and mitigating food safety challenges (specifically of a chemical and toxicological nature) of significant scope and effect at the national or international level.
2. Describe your ability to build strong working relationships among people and organizations with diverse interests and/or opinions, such as industry, professional, public health or consumer organizations, media, other Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies, foreign governments and Members of Congress.
3. Describe the primary food safety challenges (specifically of a chemical and toxicological nature) that the US food supply will face in the coming decade. As the incumbent, how would you develop recommendations to advise the agency to address these challenges?
4. Describe how you will operate in an era of continuous changing hazards, changing technologies, and variable perceptions of risk depending on the customer. How would you maintain a consistent regulatory message while providing flexibility for the changes in the environment?
0401Degree biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to position OR Combo education and experience courses equivalent(equiv) to major above plus appropriate experience/additional education
0415Degree toxicology or appropriate discipline of biological, medical or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 Semester(Sem) Hours(Hrs) in chemistry, biochemistry or physiology and 12 Sem Hrs in toxicology
0601Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree: major study in academic field related to medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to work of position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by US Department of Education at time degree was obtained
1301Degree physical science, engineering or mathematics includes 24 Sem Hrs physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials and electronics OR Combo education and experience education equiv to one of majors above includes at least 24 Sem Hrs physical science and/or related engineering science plus appropriate experience/additional education
1320Degree physical sciences, life sciences or engineering includes 30 Sem Hrs in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 Sem Hrs of physics OR Combo education and experience course work equiv to major above including at least 30 Sem Hrs in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 Sem Hrs physics plus appropriate experience/additional education
1529Degree includes 24 Sem Hrs of mathematics and statistics, at least 12 Sem Hrs in mathematics and 6 Sem Hrs in statistics OR Combo education and experience at least 24 Sem Hrs mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics plus appropriate experience/additional education
1. Veteran's preference applies to this senior level (SL) position.
2. Selectee may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
3. This position requires a security clearance. The individual will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The employee is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level and failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, USDA requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, this position requires completion and adjudication of a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance while encumbering the position.
It is our responsibility to eliminate any risks to national security, public health, and public safety that could be posed by individuals who use illegal drugs. This position may be subject to random testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test or refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities.
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. 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 view the application form, visit: https://ses.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=6D4A8AB3-1975-415F-A024-A97D00A306B5
Applications must include the following:
1. Resume - Your resume should clearly demonstrate experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section.
Please ensure your work history includes ALL of the following information:
2. Technical Qualifications - Written narratives addressing each of the mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQ) not to exceed one (2) pages for each TQ.
3. A complete assessment questionnaire. Responses DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application).
4. Current and former Federal Employees - Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure and type of service. Please remove your social security number and date of birth.
5. Veterans: If you are applying for 5-point Preference, you must submit your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing your Character of Service. If you are applying for 10-point Preference, you must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If applying as a disabled veteran, submit a copy of your DD-214 along with the letter from the Veterans Administration, or other formal documentation, that clearly identifies overall rating of disability. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the armed forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the closing date of the announcement. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Click here for more veterans' information. You may request a copy of your DD-214 through the E-Benefits Page.
A complete application entails completing the on-line assessment questionnaire, uploading your resume and technical qualifications, and uploading any required supporting documents.
Failure to submit the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement, may result in an ineligible rating or may affect your overall rating.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
1. Your detailed Federal resume.
2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications narrative statement (2 pages single space for each MTQ, any excess pages will not be considered).
3. Supporting documentation, see Required Documents section for more detail.
To begin your online application, Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the online questionnaire.Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
Please read the following important information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application:
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
It is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, sent (i.e. resume, TQs, SF-50s) is received and is accurate by 11:59 PM EST on 10/31/2018. You may complete the assessment questionnaire more than once, but only your most recent submission will be used.
Your resume and technical qualification narratives serve as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable), as it relates to this job opportunity. Please be clear and specific when describing your work history and writing your technical qualification narratives, as we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will also be rated and ranked among others based on your responses to the online assessment
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and technical qualification narratives, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/514211300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for protecting the public's health by ensuring the safety of the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. It's ranked as one of the top 10 "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government" by the Partnership for Public Service. Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience. Click for more information at USDA and the Food Safety and Inspecition Service