Duties

​​​​The Agricultural Specialist applies his/her knowledge and experience with animal and plant health programs, regional trade issues, and socio-political and cultural factors to provide export analysis and promote U.S. interests in the above areas for the 19 countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) of coverage. The incumbent works with government officials and other stakeholders in the area of coverage (1) to provide expert consultation on U.S. import and export regulations, (2) to develop sanitary and phytosanitary standards, implement quarantine and/or treatment procedures, and to maintain and increase bilateral and regional trade, (3) to resolve issues affecting the importation of U.S. products into the countries of coverage, and (4) to safeguard U.S. agriculture. The incumbent develops and facilitates, and/or coordinates capacity building projects, seminars, and workshops to enhance the ability of foreign officials to mitigate or eradicate animal and plant pests and diseases in their own countries and strengthen the regulatory infrastructures in these countries. 

​The position is complex as it includes 19 host economies, a variety of agricultural commodities, variations in geographic areas in terms of climate and terrain and its impact on commodity availability, economic, political considerations between host countries and the U.S., and the expansion of U.S. exports of agricultural commodities. The incumbent provides expert consultation in resolving technical barriers to U.S. exports and/or releasing commodities from quarantine in a foreign country of coverage; actively participates in prioritizing agency goals and objectives in conjunction with the Supervisor, Agricultural Attaché/Foreign Service Officer (FSO), Regional Manager, Veterinary Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and other U.S. Government agencies. The incumbent represents APHIS and acts as a linking trade expert during trade negotiations, bilateral meetings, and trade conferences with counterparts, following guidance from APHIS management.​ 

Main Duties:

• Trade Support and Resolution of Specific Trade Issues (35%)
• Animal and Plant Health Safeguarding, Risk Analysis, Project Implementation and Evaluation (30%)
• Program Management - Strategy, Planning, Design, and Evaluation (15%)
• Capacity Building (10%)
• Other Duties as Necessary (10%)

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a security certificate.

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

​​A master’s degree (or equivalent) in agriculture/agronomy, or plant pathology/entomology, or animal/veterinary sciences, or biology is required.​

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. 
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.  Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.  If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in agricultural science field in a public or private institution. Experience working in developing, directing, or evaluating agricultural health programs relating to trade or regulatory, or in dealing with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) matters of an equivalent nature is required. In depth knowledge of local laws in the assigned area, regulations, programs, practices as related to animal and plant health issues in the region. Trade policy of the various countries and the sanitary and phytosanitary policies of regional and international SPS organizations must be understood and applied.​

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Language: 

English: Fluent (written & spoken, including the ability to translate)

German: Good working knowledge (written & spoken)

Please address this language requirement in your ERA application. 

Job Knowledge:

​​Expert and authoritative knowledge of animal and plant health sciences, applicable laws, precedent decisions, quarantine regulations, and preclearance facility operating procedures is required. In depth knowledge of local laws, programs, and practices related to animal and plant health relating to existing treaties and cooperative agreements is required. ​ 

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills And Abilities:

​​Must have ability to analyze complex, novel, and/or sensitive regional issues, programs, and situations and to apply a complex body of knowledge, laws, and precedents to make decisions and recommendations. Must have ability to independently organize and execute work. Must have ability to use many different sources to research programs and techniques. Must have ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally. Must be able to read and comprehend articles appearing in scientific journals and then apply this knowledge to program objectives. Must have ability to deal with high-level officials and other representatives in providing technical advice, negotiating agreements, and explaining complex regulations and laws.​

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

More information here.