What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biological Scientist position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
Serves as a senior agricultural Biological Scientist for the Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS), responsible for providing authoritative expertise in diverse areas of biotechnology and the biological sciences related to genetically engineered organisms.
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 and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-14 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planned, organized, and provided support and subject matter advice on time sensitive projects related to agricultural biotechnology regulations, including solutions to complex and/or highly controversial issues that advance program decisions or functionality. Researching, interpreting, and applying laws and policies regarding agricultural biotechnology. Participated on a team that was responsible for planning, organizing, and executing team projects to accomplish group goals. Communicating science-based policies and procedures to internal and external stakeholders related to activities involving biotechnology, entomology, plant pathology, microbiology, plant pests and diseases. Authorship of five or more peer reviewed scientific publications or unpublished government, industry, or other documents related to activities in biological science; especially in biotechnology, entomology, plant pathology, microbiology, plant pests, and diseases. 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. 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Responsible for technical support and analysis of pest risk and weed risk of certain genetically engineered organisms.Reviews applications for release, interstate movement, and importation of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms.Advises on the development of multinational standards, risk assessment frameworks, agreements or policy regarding the release of certain genetically engineered organisms into the environment.Coordinates, prepares, and reviews a variety of authorization documents, risk assessments, reports, and technical analyses on different aspects of biotechnology related.Provides timely updates on current projects and assignments, and develop talking points and briefing materials on assignments of interest to the BRS Administrator, APHIS, USDA, and congress.Represents BRS at professional society conferences, committees, and meetings at the national and especially international levels.Advise on issues relating to genetic engineering, molecular biology, agronomy, horticulture, plant science, plant breeding and genetics, plant pathology, entomology, ecology, silviculture and more.
Position Start Date:
05/01/2026
Position Close Date:
05/07/2026
Salary Offered: 131342 - 170750 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
Serves as a senior agricultural Biological Scientist for the Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS), responsible for providing authoritative expertise in diverse areas of biotechnology and the biological sciences related to genetically engineered organisms.
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 and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-14 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planned, organized, and provided support and subject matter advice on time sensitive projects related to agricultural biotechnology regulations, including solutions to complex and/or highly controversial issues that advance program decisions or functionality. Researching, interpreting, and applying laws and policies regarding agricultural biotechnology. Participated on a team that was responsible for planning, organizing, and executing team projects to accomplish group goals. Communicating science-based policies and procedures to internal and external stakeholders related to activities involving biotechnology, entomology, plant pathology, microbiology, plant pests and diseases. Authorship of five or more peer reviewed scientific publications or unpublished government, industry, or other documents related to activities in biological science; especially in biotechnology, entomology, plant pathology, microbiology, plant pests, and diseases. 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. 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Responsible for technical support and analysis of pest risk and weed risk of certain genetically engineered organisms.Reviews applications for release, interstate movement, and importation of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms.Advises on the development of multinational standards, risk assessment frameworks, agreements or policy regarding the release of certain genetically engineered organisms into the environment.Coordinates, prepares, and reviews a variety of authorization documents, risk assessments, reports, and technical analyses on different aspects of biotechnology related.Provides timely updates on current projects and assignments, and develop talking points and briefing materials on assignments of interest to the BRS Administrator, APHIS, USDA, and congress.Represents BRS at professional society conferences, committees, and meetings at the national and especially international levels.Advise on issues relating to genetic engineering, molecular biology, agronomy, horticulture, plant science, plant breeding and genetics, plant pathology, entomology, ecology, silviculture and more.
Position Start Date:
05/01/2026
Position Close Date:
05/07/2026
Salary Offered: 131342 - 170750 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!