Agriculturist (Program Coordinator)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 131,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service in the United States seeks a technically advanced professional to provide a nationally coordinated approach for developing survey, regulatory, control, and molecular technologies to support APHIS programs. Responsibilities include data collection, processing, predicting pest events, and delivering timely reports to diverse user groups.

The role requires collaboration across disciplines, coordinating projects, preparing scientifically informed reports,

Qualifications

• Minimum education as described and specialized experience for GS-14 level.
• Transcripts are required; this education must have been completed at an accredited school.
• Experience in leading or coordinating plant protection projects and reporting results.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the development and execution of technical and scientific projects within the assigned program area.
• Prepares reports for developing, implementing and maintaining effective scientifically informed APHIS programs and in accordance with agency policies.
• Consults with APHIS and cooperating scientists regarding procedures, results, and interpretation of data addressing plant protection needs.
• Provides input to the Science and Technology Management Team for program-related budget, annual work plans, and operational plans.
• Reviews overall progress of work within the program area and reports results to the Science and Technology Management Team.
• Engages with national policy and operations managers to identify PPQ needs.
• Coordinates the establishment, review, and reporting of cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, and contracts.

Education

Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

If selected you will provide a nationally coordinated approach for the development of survey, regulatory, control, and/or molecular technologies to support APHIS programs. These programs require collecting, recording and processing of field data, predicting pest events, and providing a variety of reports in a timely manner to a variety of user groups. The programs involve the cooperation and coordination of numerous disciplines and areas of responsibility.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying the scientific concepts and principles of plant protection to plan or lead measures or activities for the eradication, containment, or management of plant pests. Working on multiple teams or groups and communicating with different levels of an organization to achieve results or produce deliverables in the plant protection context. Developing quality written products such as publications, extension reports, presentations, or educational materials. Experience critically evaluating written information to develop a conceptual understanding of the meaning of a range of the information and apply that knowledge to resolve problems in plant protection. Experience successfully managing multiple projects in a plant protection setting. 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

• Coordinates the development and execution of technical and scientific projects within the assigned program area through direct and effective interaction with the appropriate individuals.
• Prepares reports primarily for developing, implementing and maintaining effective scientifically informed APHIS programs and in accordance with agency, PPQ, and other relevant policies.
• Consults with APHIS and cooperating scientists regarding technical procedures, experimental results, and interpretation of data that address a wide range of problems relevant to the needs of PPQ.
• Provides input and recommendations to the Science and Technology Management Team for program-related budget development, annual work plans, and operational plans.
• Reviews overall progress of work within assigned program area and provides results to Science and Technology Management Team in the form of annual reports and other types of communications.
• Engages with national policy and operations managers, as well as other stakeholders to identify PPQ needs that can be addressed by Science and Technology.
• Coordinates the establishment, review, and reporting of cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, and contracts pertaining to the assigned program area.

Position Start Date

09/04/2026

Position Close Date

09/11/2026

Salary Offered

131342 - 170750 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