What are the responsibilities and job description for the Compliance Officer position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
The selectee serves as a Compliance Officer providing regulatory oversight on the possession, use and transfer of biological select agents and toxins. This position requires a thorough understanding of how to evaluate that proper procedures are in place at regulated entities and that entities comply with reporting and documentation requirements.
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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Verifying the accuracy of technical information provided by others, to evaluate risks, assess compliance with the select agent regulations, and recommend appropriate program actions. Developing recommendations for compliance actions based on agricultural, environmental, and economic consequences of compliance infractions. Utilizing information systems (such as eFSAP or laboratory information management systems), to maintain and analyze data. Interpreting technical information, agency memoranda, regulations, and guidelines to evaluate and implement proposed changes in regulations, mitigations, policies, guidance, and procedures, to assure uniform enforcement. Working in a team to communicate effectively with the regulated community and the public, defend controversial or unpopular decisions, promote the policies of the agency, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.; 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Focuses on compliance with responsibility for monitoring, enforcing, inspecting, and providing oversight of entities which possess, use, or transfer select agents and toxins to ensure compliance.Reviews biosafety and containment protocols, security infrastructure, incident response procedures and protocols, and other program records.Interact with other Agency Select Agent staff during the evaluative processes leading to a decision to register entities for the possession, use and transfer of select agents and toxins.Manages processing and reporting for incoming requests for transfers, incident reports of theft, loss, or release of select agents, and reports of identification of select agents.When potential regulatory violations are identified at either registered or nonregistered entities, the selectee coordinates and participates in investigations and inspections.
Position Start Date:
09/18/2026
Position Close Date:
09/24/2026
Salary Offered: 111147 - 154280 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
The selectee serves as a Compliance Officer providing regulatory oversight on the possession, use and transfer of biological select agents and toxins. This position requires a thorough understanding of how to evaluate that proper procedures are in place at regulated entities and that entities comply with reporting and documentation requirements.
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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Verifying the accuracy of technical information provided by others, to evaluate risks, assess compliance with the select agent regulations, and recommend appropriate program actions. Developing recommendations for compliance actions based on agricultural, environmental, and economic consequences of compliance infractions. Utilizing information systems (such as eFSAP or laboratory information management systems), to maintain and analyze data. Interpreting technical information, agency memoranda, regulations, and guidelines to evaluate and implement proposed changes in regulations, mitigations, policies, guidance, and procedures, to assure uniform enforcement. Working in a team to communicate effectively with the regulated community and the public, defend controversial or unpopular decisions, promote the policies of the agency, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.; 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Focuses on compliance with responsibility for monitoring, enforcing, inspecting, and providing oversight of entities which possess, use, or transfer select agents and toxins to ensure compliance.Reviews biosafety and containment protocols, security infrastructure, incident response procedures and protocols, and other program records.Interact with other Agency Select Agent staff during the evaluative processes leading to a decision to register entities for the possession, use and transfer of select agents and toxins.Manages processing and reporting for incoming requests for transfers, incident reports of theft, loss, or release of select agents, and reports of identification of select agents.When potential regulatory violations are identified at either registered or nonregistered entities, the selectee coordinates and participates in investigations and inspections.
Position Start Date:
09/18/2026
Position Close Date:
09/24/2026
Salary Offered: 111147 - 154280 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!