DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Summary

This position is in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services (ERCS), Emergency Management, Safety, and Security Division (EMSSD) and is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of APHIS employees, as well as coordination of an agency-level emergency management program.

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Duties

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• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Lead a multi-faceted Division with wide-ranging responsibilities for safety, security, and emergency preparedness and response.
• Serves as a consultant and authoritative expert to APHIS officials regarding Agency-wide activities in security, safety, and emergency management.
• Provide Agency-wide leadership for physical and personnel security assessment, access control, and associated training aligned with the diverse needs of all APHIS programs.
• Engage stakeholders across APHIS and the Department in developing priorities and to communicate those goals and seek feedback.
• Responsible for implementing and updating applicable strategic plans and operating manuals.
• Ensure subject matter expertise is available to consult across the breadth of APHIS programs regarding facility access and personnel security.
• Division functions include planning, directing, organizing, and coordinating a wide range of security functions supporting APHIS employees, property, and facilities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to Next Steps section for more information.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• During emergency response activities work hours may be longer than standard and the environment may be high-tempo and high stress.
• Employee is expected to be on-call after hours to respond to emergencies.

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 the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

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:

• Managing an agency wide program focused on one or more of the following subject matter areas: emergency management, occupational safety and/or security.
• Developing strategies for resource prioritization through analysis of mission-critical impacts, in one or more of the following subject matter areas: emergency management, occupational safety and /or security.
• Persuasive written and oral communication on complex, controversial, and/or technical information.
• Collaborating with a range of audiences, including executives, employees, interagency partners, and customers/stakeholders.
• Managing staff, supporting workforce development, and maintaining a high-performing, mission-focused team.

NOTE: There is no education substitution for this 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.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.
• This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.