Compliance Officer

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks a Compliance Officer to oversee regulatory compliance for select agents and toxins. You will assess procedures, report findings, and support registrations with a focus on safety, biosecurity, and policy adherence.

The role requires reviewing biosafety controls, incident procedures, and coordinating with agency staff on enforcement actions. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Combination of education and experience accepted where defined above.
• GS-13 level requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12.

Responsibilities

• Focus on compliance oversight for entities possessing, using or transferring select agents and toxins.
• Review biosafety, containment, security protocols and incident procedures.
• Interact with Agency Select Agent staff during evaluations leading to registrations.
• Manage processing and reporting of transfers, incident reports, and identification of select agents.
• Coordinate investigations when regulatory violations are identified.

Skills

Risk assessment

Regulatory compliance

Technical interpretation

Documentation & reporting

Interagency collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences / agriculture / natural resource management / chemistry or related field

Tools

eFSAP

LIMS

Job description

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

The selectee serves as a Compliance Officer providing regulatory oversight on the possession, use and transfer of biological select agents and toxins. This position requires a thorough understanding of how to evaluate that proper procedures are in place at regulated entities and that entities comply with reporting and documentation requirements.

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: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Verifying the accuracy of technical information provided by others, to evaluate risks, assess compliance with the select agent regulations, and recommend appropriate program actions. Developing recommendations for compliance actions based on agricultural, environmental, and economic consequences of compliance infractions. Utilizing information systems (such as eFSAP or laboratory information management systems), to maintain and analyze data. Interpreting technical information, agency memoranda, regulations, and guidelines to evaluate and implement proposed changes in regulations, mitigations, policies, guidance, and procedures, to assure uniform enforcement. Working in a team to communicate effectively with the regulated community and the public, defend controversial or unpopular decisions, promote the policies of the agency, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.; Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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. 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:Focuses on compliance with responsibility for monitoring, enforcing, inspecting, and providing oversight of entities which possess, use, or transfer select agents and toxins to ensure compliance.Reviews biosafety and containment protocols, security infrastructure, incident response procedures and protocols, and other program records.Interact with other Agency Select Agent staff during the evaluative processes leading to a decision to register entities for the possession, use and transfer of select agents and toxins.Manages processing and reporting for incoming requests for transfers, incident reports of theft, loss, or release of select agents, and reports of identification of select agents.When potential regulatory violations are identified at either registered or nonregistered entities, the selectee coordinates and participates in investigations and inspections.

Position Start Date:

09/18/2026

Position Close Date:

09/24/2026

Salary Offered:

111147 - 154280 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