Duties

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Represents the Agency on global committees, task forces and at professional organizations and meetings, both national and international.
• Coordinates technical and policy viewpoints from inter-Agency partners and be able to collectively represent the U.S. Government perspective when required.
• Serves as multidisciplinary authority within and outside the program office on matters related to agricultural biotechnology, including associated environmental and ecological risk analysis, programmatic research needs, and on related policy.
• Supports APHIS?s development of a scientifically based strategic vision and provides effective expert advice for ensuring methods and process appropriately address scientific advancements in biotechnology and its related scientific disciplines.
• Collaborates closely with leaders in the biological sciences, sharing information and methodologies used to advise officials regarding the problems, prospects, and potential of scientific and technical developments.
• Contributes materially to or spearheads agency efforts that address or accomplish important agency goals in agricultural innovation.
• Manages major science projects and programs; the scope of influence may range from internal BRS, APHIS, or USDA scientists and policymakers to national and international workgroups that are technical in nature.
• Prepares briefings, analysis of case studies, and assessments of activities affecting the program priorities.
• Leads BRS scientists, other scientists, and groups outside BRS in analysis of global trends; provides team leadership on key projects to assure timely completion of assignments.

Requirements

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Occasional travel is expected for this position.

Qualifications

YOU MUST UPLOAD YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs). The Technical Qualifications are listed below. 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 in the private sector. Each applicant must submit a comprehensive narrative statement that addresses the Mandatory Technical Qualifications outlined below. The narrative statement must include clear and concise examples that describe the applicant's level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. The narrative must not exceed 2 pages for each statement. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and to submit narratives for the Mandatory Technical Qualification factors will automatically disqualify an applicant.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Describe your experience that demonstrates a broad knowledge and ability to lead policy decisions on scientific risk assessment of agricultural biotechnology. Examples might include: drafting policy statements or positions on biotechnology for senior officials; skills in leading others in the application of principles of risk assessment; or ability to incorporate science-based decisions to planning, developing and implementing programs.
2.Demonstrate your depth of experience in building coalitions to develop and advance strategic goals for biotechnology on a global scale. Include any examples of success garnered through cooperative relationships and activities with multiple domestic and/or international stakeholders with varying and competing interests.

Time in grade requirements do not apply to SL positions.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility (including educational) requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

TRANSCRIPTS are required.
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

0401 - Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences:
Positions in this series require a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or allied disciplines pertinent to the work of the position to be filled.

Additional information

Consideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications. Race, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, marital or family status, disability, and other non-merit factors will not be considered.

1. This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). This law also requires the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment.

2. Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered.

3. The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs.

4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November 8, 1985.

5. All application forms are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become the property of USDA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency at 202-260-8128. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.