What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inspection and Licensing Program Specialist position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
You will serve as a licensing and registration specialist responsible for interpreting, facilitating, and implementing licensing and registration processes for all facilities, breeder, brokers, handlers, exhibitors, and any entities requiring a USDA license or registration for regulated activities.
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. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Assisting with quality control over database entry and complex filing/record keeping systems. Processing incoming licensing fees, while ensuring appropriate documentation to warrant against misuse or loss of funds. Preparing clear and concise reports as requested by management and assisting in developing training aids. OR Successful completion of 1 full year of graduate level education leading to degree in a field of study related the position, such as: Agriculture, agribusiness, animal sciences, agricultural literacy, environmental studies, ecology, wildlife or conservation biology, zoology, business administration, public administration, business analytics, data analytics, data science, computer science, geography, anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, geography, criminology, criminal justice, legal or paralegal studies, or closely related field. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 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 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:Serves as an expert on functions and responsibilities associated with the issuance of Animal Welfare licenses and registrations, including database management.Operates and updates detailed computerized record systems to maintain licensing and registration records, payments, correspondence, compliance, and complaints.Responds to a broad range of internal and external inquiries (written and verbal via telephone and email) from the public, stakeholders, and licensees/registrants.Performs administrative duties such as maintaining supply inventory, filling supply orders, filing, opening/sorting incoming mail, preparing outgoing mail, and other duties as assigned.Identifies and provides notification and timely responses to managers on program issues and observed trends that may impact the program, or internal or external stakeholders.Presents exemplary customer service for all internal and external Animal Welfare, Horse Protection, and Emergency Management stakeholders.
Position Start Date:
04/10/2026
Position Close Date:
04/16/2026
Salary Offered: 52693 - 73142 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
You will serve as a licensing and registration specialist responsible for interpreting, facilitating, and implementing licensing and registration processes for all facilities, breeder, brokers, handlers, exhibitors, and any entities requiring a USDA license or registration for regulated activities.
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. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Assisting with quality control over database entry and complex filing/record keeping systems. Processing incoming licensing fees, while ensuring appropriate documentation to warrant against misuse or loss of funds. Preparing clear and concise reports as requested by management and assisting in developing training aids. OR Successful completion of 1 full year of graduate level education leading to degree in a field of study related the position, such as: Agriculture, agribusiness, animal sciences, agricultural literacy, environmental studies, ecology, wildlife or conservation biology, zoology, business administration, public administration, business analytics, data analytics, data science, computer science, geography, anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, geography, criminology, criminal justice, legal or paralegal studies, or closely related field. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 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 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:Serves as an expert on functions and responsibilities associated with the issuance of Animal Welfare licenses and registrations, including database management.Operates and updates detailed computerized record systems to maintain licensing and registration records, payments, correspondence, compliance, and complaints.Responds to a broad range of internal and external inquiries (written and verbal via telephone and email) from the public, stakeholders, and licensees/registrants.Performs administrative duties such as maintaining supply inventory, filling supply orders, filing, opening/sorting incoming mail, preparing outgoing mail, and other duties as assigned.Identifies and provides notification and timely responses to managers on program issues and observed trends that may impact the program, or internal or external stakeholders.Presents exemplary customer service for all internal and external Animal Welfare, Horse Protection, and Emergency Management stakeholders.
Position Start Date:
04/10/2026
Position Close Date:
04/16/2026
Salary Offered: 52693 - 73142 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!