What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biologist / Biological Scientist / Agriculturist position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
In these positions, you will apply your expertise to develop safe and effective methods aimed at reducing agricultural, biological, plant health, and natural resource risks. Please Note: Position titles and locations are shown in the "additional information" section of this announcement.
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 in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, entomology, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience applying laws, regulations, and established compliance inspection procedures, including conducting agricultural inspections and analyzing inspection reports to identify potential violations or needed corrective actions. Experience assessing complex operational or regulatory issues, selecting appropriate remedies, and modifying or adapting established protocols, procedures, or methodologies to fit unique program needs or field conditions. Experience planning, establishing, and monitoring projects or program goals by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting technical, scientific, or regulatory information. Experience evaluating and inspecting containment facilities or laboratories. Coordinating technical training for internal and external stakeholders. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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 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 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: 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. 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:Participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating regulatory activities, including reviewing inspection reports, identifying compliance issues, and supporting the development of new or amended regulations.Maintain ongoing communication with internal and external partners to ensure inspection quality, gather scientific and technical information, and manage program data and records.Prepare programmatic reviews to assess safeguards and mitigation measures.Recommend new policies, standards, and operating proceduresPrepare and deliver technical and general briefings to varied audiences.Analyze technical information to recommend protocol revisions and help resolve program management issues.
Position Start Date:
04/17/2026
Position Close Date:
04/23/2026
Salary Offered: 74678 - 108256 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
In these positions, you will apply your expertise to develop safe and effective methods aimed at reducing agricultural, biological, plant health, and natural resource risks. Please Note: Position titles and locations are shown in the "additional information" section of this announcement.
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 in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, entomology, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience applying laws, regulations, and established compliance inspection procedures, including conducting agricultural inspections and analyzing inspection reports to identify potential violations or needed corrective actions. Experience assessing complex operational or regulatory issues, selecting appropriate remedies, and modifying or adapting established protocols, procedures, or methodologies to fit unique program needs or field conditions. Experience planning, establishing, and monitoring projects or program goals by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting technical, scientific, or regulatory information. Experience evaluating and inspecting containment facilities or laboratories. Coordinating technical training for internal and external stakeholders. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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 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 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: 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. 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:Participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating regulatory activities, including reviewing inspection reports, identifying compliance issues, and supporting the development of new or amended regulations.Maintain ongoing communication with internal and external partners to ensure inspection quality, gather scientific and technical information, and manage program data and records.Prepare programmatic reviews to assess safeguards and mitigation measures.Recommend new policies, standards, and operating proceduresPrepare and deliver technical and general briefings to varied audiences.Analyze technical information to recommend protocol revisions and help resolve program management issues.
Position Start Date:
04/17/2026
Position Close Date:
04/23/2026
Salary Offered: 74678 - 108256 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!