What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investigator 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 Investigator position may be located at duty stations across the United States, depending on workload and agency needs. The Investigator is responsible for coordinating and conducting complex and sensitive investigations concerning violations of federal statutes and regulations falling within APHIS' jurisdiction. Please see the Additional Information section for duty location information.
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-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Preparing reports of investigation that support investigative findings to help substantiate or refute violations of federal/state or local regulations or laws. With appropriate oversight conduct investigative research and interpretation of applicable laws, statutes and regulations. Interpreting evidence and statements to determine logical paths forward for continued or expanded pursuit of leads. Under the direct oversight of lead personnel, assisting in the use of federal statutes and regulations governing the international and interstate movement and handling of plant and animal products, the regulation of genetically engineered products, or the humane treatment of animals. Conducting interviews to obtain information about alleged violations. OR Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, in such fields as Criminal Justice, Biology, Animal Science, Plant Science, Agriculture, J.D., or other closely related fields, OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. 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. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 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:Plans, researches, coordinates, and conducts complex investigations and other projects of involving federal statutes and regulations governing the international and interstate movement and handling of plant and animal products.Plans and executes strategies for conducting witness interviews.Identifies instances when an investigative subpoena is necessary and appropriate.Prepares narrative-based, written reports of investigation with supporting evidentiary exhibits, while meeting the organization’s performance targets for quality and timeliness of work.Supports, prepares for, and serves as a witness in enforcement proceedings involving APHIS laws, and, with approval, in proceedings initiated by other parties that relate to animal and plant health further the purposes of APHIS’ mission.Ensures that the program information management system is properly updated and maintained to facilitate timely access to accurate status updates.Participates in the development of training materials and other activities to support organizational development.Liaisons with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies, APHIS and state animal health and plant protection officials as well as various entities of the regulated industries, and represents IES at meetings and conferences.Provides technical guidance to APHIS program officials on regulatory interpretation, proper methods of preserving and handling material evidence, procedures for dealing with unique and unusual situations.Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Start Date:
05/06/2026
Position Close Date:
05/12/2026
Salary Offered: 61722 - 94563 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 Investigator position may be located at duty stations across the United States, depending on workload and agency needs. The Investigator is responsible for coordinating and conducting complex and sensitive investigations concerning violations of federal statutes and regulations falling within APHIS' jurisdiction. Please see the Additional Information section for duty location information.
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-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Preparing reports of investigation that support investigative findings to help substantiate or refute violations of federal/state or local regulations or laws. With appropriate oversight conduct investigative research and interpretation of applicable laws, statutes and regulations. Interpreting evidence and statements to determine logical paths forward for continued or expanded pursuit of leads. Under the direct oversight of lead personnel, assisting in the use of federal statutes and regulations governing the international and interstate movement and handling of plant and animal products, the regulation of genetically engineered products, or the humane treatment of animals. Conducting interviews to obtain information about alleged violations. OR Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, in such fields as Criminal Justice, Biology, Animal Science, Plant Science, Agriculture, J.D., or other closely related fields, OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. 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. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 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:Plans, researches, coordinates, and conducts complex investigations and other projects of involving federal statutes and regulations governing the international and interstate movement and handling of plant and animal products.Plans and executes strategies for conducting witness interviews.Identifies instances when an investigative subpoena is necessary and appropriate.Prepares narrative-based, written reports of investigation with supporting evidentiary exhibits, while meeting the organization’s performance targets for quality and timeliness of work.Supports, prepares for, and serves as a witness in enforcement proceedings involving APHIS laws, and, with approval, in proceedings initiated by other parties that relate to animal and plant health further the purposes of APHIS’ mission.Ensures that the program information management system is properly updated and maintained to facilitate timely access to accurate status updates.Participates in the development of training materials and other activities to support organizational development.Liaisons with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies, APHIS and state animal health and plant protection officials as well as various entities of the regulated industries, and represents IES at meetings and conferences.Provides technical guidance to APHIS program officials on regulatory interpretation, proper methods of preserving and handling material evidence, procedures for dealing with unique and unusual situations.Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Start Date:
05/06/2026
Position Close Date:
05/12/2026
Salary Offered: 61722 - 94563 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!