Biologist / Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer / SITC Officer
What you'd do
In the Biologist, PPQ Officer (Trade Specialist), and SITC Officer (Operational Analyst) positions, you will apply your expertise to develop safe and effective methods aimed at reducing agricultural, biological, plant health, human-wildlife conflicts and natural resource risks.
Major duties
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: Conduct research and provide data to register APHIS wildlife damage management products with State and Federal regulatory agencies. Manages the APHIS vertebrate pesticide/drug/vaccine registration and data development functions at the National Wildlife Research Center. Serves as a principal NWRC representative to the WS Pesticide Coordination Sub-Committee (PCSC). Serves as a technical consultant and liaison for Plant Protection and Quarantine, on issues regarding trade in agricultural commodities and export certification. Interprets foreign quarantine regulations to facilitate international trade and negotiates to resolve procedural conflicts, coordinating reviews of Federal Phytosanitary Certificates (FPC). Supports negotiations with and provides subject matter expertise to foreign government officials concerning their import regulations and the implementation of work plans. Collects information and prepares reports on Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) program results, problem pathways, interdiction activities, violators, suspect companies, shippers, importers, interceptions, and seizures. Researches and provides pathway analysis for trade compliance on various prohibited products found in interior markets. Analyzes and evaluates data in order to provide smuggling expertise to identify trends in pest pathways at ports of entry.
What you need to qualify
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: 0401: 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following: 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: -Demonstrates direct work experience with developing or reviewing registration data for pesticides, including knowledge of EPA FIFRA guidelines, regulations, and other study requirements for product chemistry, environmental fate, ecological effects, residue chemistry, and product performance data. -Interprets foreign quarantine regulations to facilitate international trade, negotiating to resolve international phytosanitary procedural disagreements, and management of export work plans. -Collects, analyzes, and synthesizes intelligence from various Federal databases to identify prohibited imports, violators, and emerging smuggling pathways, and applies these analyses to develop targeting criteria and other analytical products in support of interdiction operations. 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. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.
Before you apply
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