Executive Director Diagnostics and Biologics

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 204,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Fort Collins seeks a Senior Executive Service (SES) Level II leader to guide national animal health diagnostics and regulatory programs. The position emphasizes strategic oversight, policy development, and cross‑agency coordination.

Responsibilities include directing diagnostics and biologics programs, aligning budgets with mission goals, and representing APHIS in national and international forums to advance animal health initiatives.

Qualifications

• ECQs must be addressed in the resume; 2-page limit, 0.8-inch margins.
• TQ requires leading diagnostic/regulatory programs across scientific disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to the Associate Deputy Administrator (ADA) on national animal health diagnostics, regulatory programs, and operations.
• Oversee Diagnostics and Biologics (DB) programs, ensuring budget alignment and priorities with Veterinary Services’ mission.
• Represent DB and VS leadership in national and international meetings, fostering partnerships with federal, state, academia, private sector, and foreign entities.

Job description

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

Job Summary

This position is designated as SES, Career-Reserved. USDA structures its SES positions into position levels. This is a position level II with a salary range of $204,122 - $216,010 per year. Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards. Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/ for additional information and benefits for SES employees.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. DO NOT submit separate Executive Core Qualifications/Technical Qualifications in lieu of a resume. 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES using 0.8-inch margins and 11-point font. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must address the ECQs. Your resume must address each ECQ and should describe your experiences and accomplishments/results. Your resume should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions. NOTE: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs.

1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness)
2. Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology)
3. Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skills, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience)
4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement)
5. Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operation Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking)

For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit SES Executive Core Qualifications. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ): In addition to the ECQs, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet the following technical qualification(s).

• Describe your experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage, lead, and leverage a wide range of scientific disciplines to safeguard animal health through diagnostic technologies, interagency coordination, and/or regulatory activities. Include your ability to strategize, evaluate, and direct such programs.
• Describe your experiences that demonstrate your ability to provide science-based information and collaborate with policy makers and interested stakeholders.

Major Duties

Provides strategic leadership and recommendations to the Associate Deputy Administrator (ADA) on policies, programs, and operations affecting national animal health diagnostics, biologics, and laboratory activities. Oversees planning, regulatory oversight, and implementation of Diagnostics and Biologics (DB) programs, ensuring alignment of budget, resources, and operational priorities with Veterinary Services’ mission. Directs nationwide Veterinary Biologics Program activities, including development and execution of regulations, licensing standards, inspection processes, and compliance measures under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act. Evaluates program effectiveness across DB units, initiating improvements and negotiating changes with domestic and international partners, laboratories, and industry stakeholders to achieve program goals. Represents DB and VS leadership in national and international meetings, cultivating partnerships with Federal, State, academic, private-sector, and foreign entities to support animal health initiatives. Ensures veterinary biologics and diagnostic programs maintain scientific integrity by supporting development, evaluation, and standardization of diagnostic methods, reagents, and technical procedures. Provides leadership and supervisory direction to multidisciplinary staff, managing organizational change, delegating authority, setting priorities, overseeing performance, and ensuring effective resource distribution. Serves as a member of the VS Executive Team, contributing expert analysis and policy recommendations on the direction, scope, and implementation of VS programs and initiatives.

Position Start Date:

09/28/2026

Position Close Date:

10/28/2026

Salary Offered:

204122 - 216010 USD Per Year

The Senior Executive Service (SES) is comprised of the men and women charged with leading the continuing transformation of the government. These leaders possess well-honed executive skills and share a broad perspective of government and a public service commitment which is grounded in the Constitution. If you would like to work for a premier agency focused on enhancing the quality of life for the American people by supporting production of agriculture; ensuring safe, affordable, nutritious and accessible food supply; forest and range lands; supporting sound development of rural communities; providing economic opportunities for farm and rural residents; expanding global markets for agricultural and forest products and services; and working to reduce hunger in America and throughout the world, then the USDA is for you. To learn more about our agency, our exciting mission, vision and guiding principles, please visit http://www.usda.gov.