Federal

Agriculturist (New World Screwworm Program Manager)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ยท Department of Agriculture
๐Ÿ“ College Station, Texas GS-15 $147,945 - $192,331/yr
Posted: Mar 16, 2026 Deadline: Mar 20, 2026 (Closed days left)

About This Position

This Veterinary Services (VS) position is responsible for providing leadership to agency, interagency, and international coordination in support of New World Screwworm (NWS) eradication in Mexico and Central America. This is a key senior position that participates in the efforts to protect U.S. livestock from this devastating pest as well as other animal health emergencies as appropriate.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 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 (which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Influencing/negotiating the coordination of animal health goals, objectives, and resource allocations with foreign counterparts including Mexico or Central America. Providing expertise in strategic planning and executing long-range national and international pest management programs, specifically New World Screwworm (NWS).

Convincingly and professionally presenting NWS results, long- and short-range plans, and solutions to problems of a unique or novel nature in the form of written reports and oral presentations.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: 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:

Leads VSโ€™ NWS strategy and coordination efforts to ensure that the NWS sterile-insect technology (SIT) program and related operational activities align with animal health and trade policy.

Develops NWS policy and makes policy recommendations to the VS Deputy Administrator and Office of the Administrator in order to advance NWS eradication objectives.

Partners with APHIS senior leaders to achieve buy in and address potential challenges that could affect the success of the NWS program.

Performs in-depth analysis of NWS operational activities to support policy development and implements approved policies and strategies to advance the NWS program.

Oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of budgets, operational plans, strategic plans, action plans, regulations, and guidelines for the NWS program.

Develops and maintains relationships with international counterparts in Mexico and Central America to advance NWS eradication and maximize the availability of limited resources.

Ensures effective coordination with the Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG) to manage and distribute sterile flies at the edge of the outbreak.

Provides leadership in developing and monitoring Mexican and Central American screwworm surveillance and livestock movement controls.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

How You Will Be Evaluated

For CTAP & ICTAP, well-qualified means that the applicant meets the qualification standard and eligibility requirements for the position, meets basic qualification requirements, meets all selective factors where applicable is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry, and is rated at 85 or above on an applicant assessment. Applications and required documentation (see below) will be reviewed to determine if applicants meet eligibility and job requirements. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 to receive selection priority.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12911182

Additional Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position.

CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months (Appointment may be extended up to 2 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments This position involves Mobile Work: Mobile work is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite. Examples of mobile work include site audits, site inspections, investigations, property management, and work performed while commuting, traveling between worksites, or on Temporary Duty (TDY).

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin.

You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Applying online is highly encouraged.

We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

Resume cannot exceed two pages. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this. Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov.

It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application. Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account.

You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement). Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required.

You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX).

Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable. Only one resume will be reviewed. Applicants who submit a resume that exceeds two pages will be removed from consideration.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted.

Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) all supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted; and 5) other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed two pages.

Only one resume will be reviewed. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient if it includes your name and all course information.

If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program.

For further information, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

You must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following: CTAP/ICTAP: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 documenting separation or the position from which separating; OR Workers Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50; OR Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50; OR Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from the military or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50. If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification (see above) plus the documentation listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Failure to submit these documents could result in a finding that 10-point preference cannot be awarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Agriculturist (New World Screwworm Program Manager) position at Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service?
The salary range for this position is $147,945 - $192,331/yr. This is a GS-15 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Agriculturist (New World Screwworm Program Manager) job located?
This position is located in College Station, Texas. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of servi...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 20, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does GS-15 mean?
GS-15 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.