Program Specialist (Import/Export Document Analyst)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking a Program Specialist - Import/Export Document Analyst to support import/export of animals, products, and related activities. You will prepare and issue permits and compliance agreements, review applications, and maintain relational databases. Position emphasizes regulatory compliance and client consultation across the U.S.

and globally. Qualifications include experience applying regulations, maintaining data systems, and

Qualifications

• Applying regulations, guidelines, policies, directives, etc.
• Reviewing detailed information on applications, permit requests or certificates.
• Maintaining databases and spreadsheets for purposes of retrieving data.
• Identifying incomplete or conflicting data.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and training to Export Document Examiners, handling complex situations.
• Receive, review, and evaluate certificates and permits for completeness and accuracy.
• Consult with clients regarding certificates and import permits.
• Create, organize, and ensure completeness of import/export records.
• Monitor and manage import/export requests and release workflow in the system.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Data management

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Business/Administration/Management or related field

Tools

Web-based management system

Job description

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

The Program Specialist - Import/Export Document Analyst will provide a wide variety of program and administrative functions in support of the import and export of animals, organisms, vectors, and select agents, good animal products, activities, including preparing and issuing permits and compliance agreements.

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. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level) that demonstrates: Applying regulations, guidelines, policies, directives, etc. Reviewing detailed information on applications, permit requests or certificates. Maintaining databases and spreadsheets for purposes of retrieving data. Identifying incomplete or conflicting data. OR: 1 full year of graduate level education leading to a degree in Business, Business Administration, Business Management, Communications, Management, Organizational Management, Public Administration or other related fields. OR: Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7 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

• Provide technical advice and training to Export Document Examiners, handling complex and controversial situations.
• Receive, review, and evaluate incoming/outgoing animal, poultry, pet bird, animal germplasm, and animal product import/export certificates and permits for completeness and accuracy.
• Consult with clients throughout the United States and the world concerning certificates and import permits.
• Communicates and coordinates with importers and states in the creation of import permits.
• Maintain a variety of animal import, export and administrative files and disposes of such records according to current disposition schedules and agency requirements.
• Respond to inquiries from permit applicants and animal or animal product certificates regarding status or procedures.
• Create, organize, and ensure completeness of animal import/export records.
• Monitor and manage import/export request and release workflow and associated documentation within a web-based management system.

Position Start Date

09/25/2026

Position Close Date

10/01/2026

Salary Offered: 50460 - 77306 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