Supervisory Agriculturist (Lab Director)

Summary The incumbent directs a large laboratory charged with scientific research and technology development critical to USDA's mission of safeguarding plant and animal resources from exotic pests and diseases. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Formulates and achieves short and long-range goals concerning laboratory operations. Establishes laboratory priorities, oversees the development of project plans, resolves resource allocation issues; and manages formal agreements. Continually re-identifies customers and work collaboratively to meet their needs while establishing critical liaison with national and international allied institutions. Manages the formal organizational structure of the laboratory with authority to design new positions, and restructure existing positions. Evaluates all resource needs of the laboratory, submits formal budgetary and staffing proposals, and is accountable for properly administering budget allocations. Analyzes work processes associated with the scientific work done at the laboratory. Designates project leaders and oversees the laboratory's system of assigning work to individual scientists and support staff. Oversees the organization's proper utilization of applicable work measurement tools. Continually reviews all lab activities to ensure effectiveness and synchronization with other PPQ safeguarding efforts and to ensure full utilization of Agency resources. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 & EXPERIENCE: 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. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience managing the staff and budget of a multi-disciplinary unit that applies advanced scientific concepts, practices, standards, and methods to solving plant health or plant quarantine challenges. Ability to communicate routinely and appropriately, orally and in writing, with senior management, subordinate employees, and diverse stakeholders, partners, and customers regarding complex plant health or plant quarantine issues. Ability to apply critical thinking, decision making, and leadership toward identifying and resolving complex organizational problems and achieving measurable improvement. Ability to critically evaluate, correctly interpret, and ensure quality of scientific or technical publications, project plans, funding proposals, research reports, and other similar documents. Experience establishing and maintaining successful cooperative relations or partnerships with universities and other public and private organizations involved in plant health or plant quarantine research and development. 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. 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 well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 to receive selection priority. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.