Employment Opportunities

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing is seeking an individual for the position of Agricultural Science Specialist with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The Agricultural Science Specialist serves as an expert in animal and plant health issues for China, Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macau. The incumbent is responsible for a broad range of issues that affect a variety of agricultural commodities; provides expert advice to government officials, local scientists and others about export and import regulations between the U.S. and assigned countries in the region; resolves technical issues that may be blocking exports from the U.S. or releasing commodities from quarantine in a foreign country; and represents and acts as a linking scientist during trade negotiations, meetings, and conferences with counterpart offices.

A complete copy of the position description is available in the Human Resources Office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must address each qualification requirement detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each requirement. Applicants who fail to provide detailed information supporting each requirement will not be considered for this position.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in agriculture, agronomy, biology, entomology, or veterinary science.

Experience:

• 6 to 8 years of progressively responsible experience in developing, directing, or evaluating agricultural health programs, or in dealing with scientific matters of an equivalent nature.

Language:

• Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing in English.
• Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing in Chinese.

Knowledge:

• Expert and authoritative knowledge of plant and /or animal health sciences, applicable laws, precedent decisions, quarantine regulations, and pre-clearance facility operating procedures.
• In depth knowledge of Chinese local laws, programs, and practices related to plant and /or animal health relating to existing treaties and cooperative agreements.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to analyze complex, novel, and/or sensitive programs and situations and to apply a complex body of knowledge, laws, and precedents to make decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to deal with high-level officials and other representatives in providing technical advice, negotiating agreements, and explaining complex regulations and laws.
• Ability to independently organize and execute work.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to use many different sources to research programs and techniques.
• Must be able to read and comprehend articles appearing in scientific journals and then apply this knowledge to program objectives.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. EFMs who currently hold a PIT/FMA appointment are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of that appointment.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates for this position should submit the following:

1. Application for Federal Employment (OF-612 or SF-171);
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
Human Resources Office
American Embassy Beijing China
No.3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, Zip Code: 100600
E-mail: USEmbassyBJHR@state.gov
Fax: 86-10-6532-5141

DEFINITIONS

1. AEFM: A type of EFM that is eligible for direct hire employment on either a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) provided s/he meets all of the following criteria:
   • US citizen;
   • Spouse or dependent who is at least age 18;
   • Listed on the travel orders of a Foreign or Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority;
   • Is resident at the sponsoring employee's or uniform service member's post of assignment abroad, approved safehaven abroad, or alternate safehaven abroad; and
   • Does not receive a USG annuity or pension based on a career in the US Civil, Foreign, or uniform services.
2. EFM: Family Members at least age 18 listed on the travel orders of a Foreign of Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed to a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority who do not meet the definition of AEFM above.
3. Member of Household: A MOH is a person who: 1) Has accompanied, but is not/not on the travel orders of a U.S. citizen Foreign or Civil Service employee or uniform service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign service post or establishment abroad; 2) Has been declared by the sponsoring employee to the Chief of Mission as part of his/her household; and 3) Resides at post with the sponsoring employee.
4. Ordinarily Resident (OR): A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to the host country and has the required work and/or residency permits for employment in country.
5. Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): Typically NORs are AEFMs and EFMs of FS, GS, and uniform service members who are on the travel orders and under Chief of Mission authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities.

The United States Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer