APHIS, IS will hold a Foreign Service Officer Informational Webinar on October 21, 2024 at 8:00pm, ET via Zoom. You must register for this event if you would like to join. Please register now to join us. The webinar presentation will be posted APHIS International Services website, www.aphis.usda.gov/aphisoverseas immediately following the webinar. Click "Learn more about this agency" for additional position information.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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:
Analysis of plant, insect, and/or animal health conditions, government policies, and regulatory processes affecting the agricultural market and import/export interests of U.S. stakeholders.
Compilation, review, and analysis of technical reports on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, pests, and diseases and their effects.
Compilation, review and analysis of economic, market, technical and data relating to production, trade, consumption, prices and other factors affecting the safeguarding of U.S. agriculture.
Addresses specific phytosanitary concerns with host countries. When trade issues focus on animal or plant health and quarantine matters, the incumbent's role may include negotiations in conjunction with the APHIS programs.
Manages international phytosanitary trade issues with APHIS programs. Plans, coordinates, or conducts analyses relevant to trade issues and designs and participates in the development of recommendations for courses of action.
Participates in identifying disciplines and multi-disciplinary mixes for risk assessment/hazard evaluation of plant or animal health issues in order to instill a proactive approach to U.S. goals in international trade.
Prepares briefing memoranda, correspondence, briefing books, market profiles and other background information for APHIS, USDA, and other entities on a variety of subjects.
Prepares oral/written briefings as required, with thorough analysis of political, policy options and strategies.
Provides analytical information/advise on plant health issues in conjunction with APHIS goals and strategies.
Participates in the identification, monitoring and removal of technical, sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade.
Assists in coordinating Departmental objectives in the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), U.S. CODEX, and other international organizations.
Investigates, researches, prepares, and gives advisories identifying pest alerts, new regulations and other updates affecting all entities of export/import trade.
Develops effective working relationships with international and domestic agricultural industry representatives, trade associations, cooperators, and other APHIS stakeholders.
Coordinates/facilitates duties related to the import/export of animals and/or plants and their byproducts. Works with APHIS programs to determine the absence of infectious, contagious or communicable disease or parasitism.
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.
Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
You must 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/
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.
This position requires you to obtain and maintain a world-wide medical clearance issued by the U.S. Department of State as a condition of employment.
The Assessment Center will be virtual. You must be able to attend via Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams using your own computer equipment and software. Positions will not be offered to those that are unable to attend the Assessment Center.
Foreign Service Officers (FSO) must retire at the age of 65, with at least 5 years of service in the Foreign Service. The training program is 6 - 18 months in length. Overseas tours of duty for FSOs are generally 3 years.
Foreign Service Officers are obligated and expected to serve abroad for substantial portions of their careers. A member of the Foreign Service may not be assigned to duty within the U.S. continuously exceeding eight years.
Members of the Foreign Service are expected to serve worldwide based on the needs of the Agency, including situations when family members may not be able to accompany the employee. Selectees are required to sign a world-wide availability agreement.
Non-Federal or Non-APHIS employees: If the Foreign Service Officer training program is not successfully completed there will be NO placement rights within APHIS.
Current Gov employees should work with losing agency supervisor, prior to starting this Foreign Service Training Program, to see if reinstatement rights to their current unit are available if they are unsuccessful at achieving commissioning.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance as a condition of employment.
The ability to speak, read, and write a foreign language is preferred, but not required at time of application. There is a foreign language requirement prior to commissioning within 5 years of start date.
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.
In addition to meeting the Basic Education requirements for the job series for which you are applying, as described in the Education section of this vacancy announcement, you must also meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for the grade level(s) for which you are applying:
For the Veterinary Medical Officer, FP-0701-05 (GS-11 equivalent) level: Applicants that possess the Basic Education Requirements for the 0701 series, as described in the Basic Education Requirement section of this announcement, qualify for the 0701 position at the FP-05 level.
For the Veterinary Medical Officer, FP-0701-04 (GS-12 equivalent) level you must possess one of the following: 6 years of specialized experience, one year that was equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service (FP-05/GS-11) that provided you with the ability to perform the duties of the position at this level. This experience must be documented in your resume/application for this position. Examples of qualifying specialize experience include:
Participating in analyzing plant, insect, and/or animal health conditions, along with related government policies and regulatory processes, and determining the effect of such conditions.
Participating in compiling, reviewing, and analyzing technical reports on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, pests, diseases and the economic, market, and technical data relating to production, trade, consumption, prices and other factors affecting the safeguarding of U.S. agriculture.
Assisting with planning, coordinating, or conducting analyses relevant to trade issues and with designing and developing solutions for the successful management of these issues.
Participating in the identification, monitoring, and removal of technical, sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade.
Participating in investigating, researching, preparing, and providing advisories identifying agricultural health alerts, new regulations and other updates affecting all entities of export/import trade.
Participating in determining and implementing agricultural capacity building and development activities to enhance trade and food security objectives.
OR - A Master's degree in a Veterinary program that followed your DVM from an accredited college or school in an area of specialization including, but not limited to: animal science; avian medicine; food safety; Infectious diseases; veterinary clinical sciences; pathology; biomedical sciences; veterinary anatomy; veterinary preventative medicine; comparative biological sciences; epidemiology; veterinary parisitology; molecular veterinary biosciences; public health; microbiology; immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology; wildlife; zoological animal medicine; or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer. Applicants must submit copies of college transcripts to document this degree.
For the Entomologist, FP-0414-05 / Plant Pathologist, FO-0434-05 (GS-11 equivalent) level you must possess one of the following: 6 or more years of specialized experience, at least one year of which was equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service, FP-06 (GS-09 equivalent), that provided you with the ability to perform the duties of this position at the FP-05 (GS-11 equivalent) level. This specialized experience must be documented in your resume/application for this position. Examples of qualifying specialize experience include:
Participating in determining plant, insect, and/or animal health conditions;
Participating in identifying disciplines and multi-disciplinary mixes for risk assessment/hazard evaluation of plant or animal health issues related to international trade;
Participating in identifying phytosanitary trade issues and providing input as needed;
Preparing and providing advisories identifying pest alerts, new regulations and other updates affecting export/import trade;
Participating in agricultural capacity building and development activities to enhance trade and food security objectives.
OR - A Master's degree in plant pathology/entomology; or a related scientific discipline. OR- Equivalent combinations of education and experience as described above are qualifying for this job series at this grade level.
For the Entomologist and Plant Pathologist, FP-0414/0434-04 (GS-12 equivalent) level you must possess: 12 or more years of specialized experience, at least one year of which was equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service, FP-05 (GS-11 equivalent), that provided you with the ability to perform the duties of this position at this level. This specialized experience must be documented in your resume/application for this position. Examples of qualifying specialize experience include:
Participating in analyzing plant, insect, and/or animal health conditions, along with related government policies and regulatory processes, and determining the effect of such conditions.
Participating in compiling, reviewing, and analyzing technical reports on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, pests, and diseases and the economic, market, and technical data relating to production, trade, consumption, prices and other factors affecting the safeguarding of U.S. agriculture.
Assisting with planning, coordinating, or conducting analyses relevant to trade issues and with designing and developing solutions for the successful management of these issues.
Participating in the identification, monitoring, and removal of technical, sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade.
Participating in investigating, researching, preparing, and providing advisories identifying agricultural health alerts, new regulations and other updates affecting all entities of export/import trade.
Participating in determining and implementing agricultural capacity building and development activities to enhance trade and food security objectives.
OR - A related Master's Degree and 6 or more years of specialized experience, at least one of which was at the GS-11(FP-05) level. OR - A PhD degree in a discipline related to entomology or plant pathology.
About USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
The APHIS Foreign Service is a highly specialized team within USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In more than 25 countries worldwide, we do the work of APHIS overseas—on the front line for U.S. agricultural health.
We act globally to protect U.S. agriculture locally. APHIS Foreign Service Officers are animal and plant health experts and trained diplomats stationed at embassies alongside the U.S. Department of State and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Representing America at the highest levels abroad, we work in-country with foreign government officials and industries to:
•Build capacity to control, manage, and eradicate certain pests and diseases;
•Establish and manage sustainable animal and plant health programs; and
•Address plant and animal health trade barriers that could limit U.S. access to foreign markets.
Our in-country presence, technical expertise, and skilled diplomacy give America unmatched advantage, access, and trust abroad to protect and promote U.S. agricultural health.