Education Specialist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Newnan (GA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS in Newnan, GA seeks a training specialist to organize, coordinate, and adapt courses and materials, and deliver content in a structured classroom environment for PPQ personnel and APHIS staff. The role involves instructional design, evaluation, and collaboration with partners to ensure effective learning outcomes.

The position emphasizes establishing instructional criteria, applying evaluation findings to improve programs, and supporting learning management processes within APHIS/PPQ.

Qualifications

• Degree with education major or related field, or equivalent education/experience.
• One year specialized experience at GS-9 level (or equivalent) in organizing, delivering or evaluating training programs.
• Experience documenting and reporting using structured records or LMS systems is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develops, delivers and updates training courses and materials.
• Evaluates training programs and recommends improvements to management.
• Provides guidance and career support to APHIS/PPQ staff and colleagues.
• Represents instructional design decisions and establishes policy for training delivery.

Skills

Organizing training

Delivering training content

Coordinating programs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

Job description

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

Job Summary

If selected, you will be responsible for organizing, coordinating and adapting training courses and materials and for subsequently delivering course content in a structured classroom environment. for Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) personnel, as well as other Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) employees and client Agencies.

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: that included or was supplemented by major study in education or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in education, or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in A above. FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: organizing, coordinating, producing, delivering and/or adapting training courses or deliverables that are typically short and self-contained, or constitute portions of larger project; and applying a template to document, organize and report utilizing a structured system of record keeping (Newnan, GA Only); and documenting, implementing, and managing training systems or learning management processes that may include scheduling, delivery, reporting, or user management (Fredrick, MD Only). OR Have two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree if related. Related degrees may include: systems analysis, business administration, training and development, education, project management, and records management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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.

Major Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:Utilizes the findings of evaluations to recommend new/improved training programs.Establishes instructional design, development and evaluative criteria through analysis of instructional problems or questions.Utilizes the findings of evaluations to recommend new/improved training programs.Evaluates training/education programs and makes recommendations to management as to the practical application of these programs for APHIS employees.Provides problem-solving assistance, career counseling, leadership, and technical review for other staff members and APHIS/PPQ employees.Participates in recommending establishment of policy, procedures, and guidelines for delivery of training and education programs to technical, non-technical, and scientific employees in APHIS/PPQ.Serves as an administrator of instruction by delivering classroom and self-instructional training.Establishes and maintains professional contacts and cooperative relationships with leading education practitioners, researchers, training and academic institutions, and other APHIS/PPQ staff.

Position Start Date

09/11/2026

Position Close Date

09/17/2026

Salary Offered

61722 - 80243 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