Agriculturist (AQI Database Program Support)

About the role

You will support database development, analysis, training, deployment, and integration for existing and new Agriculture Quarantine Inspection (AQI) databases associated with inspection and clearance activities at U.S. ports of entry.

What you will do

• 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: Participates with program managers in the planning, development, and implementation of AQI databases designed to meet the needs of the Agency’s plant health programs.
• Provides technical assistance, support, and guidance to PPQ employees, stakeholders, and other interested groups on phytosanitary requirements on items regulated for agricultural interest.
• Contributes to the training and deployment of agricultural databases for the purpose of improving data quality and integrity.
• Supports change management initiatives associated with existing and new AQI databases.
• Prepares periodic reports for and maintains effective communications with team members, the supervisor, and managers regarding information on the status of task/project/program assignments.
• Performs tasks relative to data analysis to support and enhance the functionality of AQI databases.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

How you will be evaluated

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet minimum qualification requirements. Your resume must address experience and education relevant to this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: ***

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete.
• Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted.
• Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information;2) education;3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) all supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted; and 5) other qualifications.
• Resume cannot exceed two pages.
• Only one resume will be reviewed.
• If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts.
• An unofficial copy is sufficient if it includes your name and all course information.
• If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty.
• Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution.
• Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program.
• For further information, see: Foreign Education Evaluation.
• All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• Current and former career/career-conditional Federal employees: Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service (block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 and block 34 must contain a 1), highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade.
• If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade, submit an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade.
• Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (e.g., length of time in current position).
• A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
• Screenshots or printouts of electronic systems, including eHR Apps (ePMA), will not be accepted unless it is of the actual appraisal form with the end-of-year rating summary.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or RPL priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal, and the most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

What to expect next

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. This announcement may also be used to fill additional like vacancies, including vacancies elsewhere within the agency or other USDA organizations.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer.

An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance.

To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to ***, subject line: Fair Chance Act.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL). Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL, eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.

Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.

Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

If selected for this position, you will remain in your current official duty station of record unless you are in the National Capital Region.

Selectees with a current duty station in the National Capital Region defined as the District of Columbia; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties of Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties of Virginia and all cities and towns included within the outer boundaries of those counties will need a new duty station established prior to entrance on duty.

Selectees located anywhere else will not be able to voluntarily change their duty station as part of this selection process.