Agriculturist/Biologist
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Fort Collins, Colombia · Full Time
Be the first to apply
- Experience
- 1+ yrs
- Salary
- USD 74,678 – USD 108,251 / year
- Openings
- 1
- Posted
- 4 weeks ago
- Work mode
- In office
- Education
- Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines
- Eligibility
- Qualified applicants who meet the education and/or specialized experience standards by the closing date may apply. Both paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer service, can count if it is relevant. The role is open to candidates with the required background in biological sciences, agricultu…
- Resume
- Required to apply
Where you'll work
Job description
Role Summary
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is looking for an Agriculturist/Biologist to help create practical, effective approaches that lower agricultural and biological risks, protect plant health, address human-wildlife conflicts, and reduce threats to natural resources.
Qualifications
Applicants must satisfy all qualification and eligibility rules by the announcement closing date, including the required specialized experience and/or education.
Basic requirement (0401): A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or another discipline closely related to the work.
Alternative path: A combination of coursework equivalent to a major field of study, along with relevant experience or additional education.
GS-11 specialized experience: At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level, gained in either the public or private sector, demonstrating the ability to:
- Assist with research or analysis of wildlife or plant disease patterns, including study design, interpretation of research findings, or use of analytical tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, R, or Python.
- Evaluate difficult operational or regulatory situations, choose appropriate solutions, and adjust existing procedures or methods to suit specific program or field conditions.
- Handle import permit applications, explain permitting rules to customers, and provide support by email and phone.
- Prepare and present technical and progress updates for supervisors, including raising issues that need resolution.
Education option for GS-11: Three years of progressively advanced graduate study leading to a Ph.D., or a Ph.D./equivalent doctoral degree, in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related area.
Combination option: Education and specialized experience may be combined to meet the GS-11 requirements, with total credit reaching at least 100 percent.
Transcript requirement: Transcripts are needed if the qualification is based on coursework, a degree in a specific field, or a mix of education and experience. The education must have been completed at an accredited institution.
Experience credit: Paid, unpaid, and volunteer service may all count if they provide relevant competencies, including service through National Service programs or other organizations.
Major Duties
The duties below reflect the full-performance level. Developmental roles will involve narrower assignments, less independence, and lower complexity.
- Support inspections of containment facilities and/or laboratories, or partner with inspectors to evaluate facility capabilities.
- Keep current information on microorganisms and invertebrates, including their geographic distribution, biology, and agricultural or environmental effects.
- Plan and carry out field, computer modeling, and laboratory studies with limited supervision.
- Use studies to create new products, evaluate existing or new techniques, and review management options that can reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
- Play a central role in data system development and integration, including creating standard operating procedures, ensuring data quality, and guiding proper data use.
- Help identify and support projects that improve data analysis, data quality, and reporting.
Additional Information
The position is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is a full-time, onsite role. The agency notes that APHIS is an emergency response organization, so employees may be asked or assigned to rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs during their career.
Important Dates
Position start date: June 30, 2026. Position close date: July 7, 2026.
Compensation
Salary offered: USD 74,678 to 108,251 per year.
About USDA APHIS
USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs work to support the domestic and international movement of U.S. agricultural products while safeguarding the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. The organization operates in both domestic and global markets.
Applicants are encouraged to review the full announcement for complete details.