Agriculturist; Foreign Service Officer Career

Job Summary

Find Your Future With Us at USDA — Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Foreign Service Officer Trainee in APHIS International Services (IS) is part of the APHIS Foreign Service Officer training program. Successful applicants will complete a 6–18 month training program and will be deployed overseas to assist in APHIS safeguarding, trade facilitation, and capacity‑building missions. The program may include veterinary, entomology, or plant pathology specializations as detailed below.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date, including specialized experience and education as specified. Basic education requirements for the relevant job series apply.

• For the Veterinary Medical Officer, FP-0701-05 (GS‑11 equivalent):
  Basic education requirements for the 0701 series qualify for the FP‑05 level.
• For the Veterinary Medical Officer, FP-0701-04 (GS‑12 equivalent): 6 years of specialized experience or a master's degree in a veterinary program following a DVM in specified areas. Master’s must be accompanied by college transcripts. OR a master’s degree in relevant fields.
• For the Entomologist, FP‑0414‑05 / Plant Pathologist, FO‑0434‑05 (GS‑11 equivalent): 6 or more years of specialized experience, with at least one year equivalent to FP‑06 (GS‑09), or a master’s degree in plant pathology/entomology or related discipline. OR equivalent education and experience.
• For the Entomologist and Plant Pathologist, FP‑0414/0434‑04 (GS‑12 equivalent): 12 or more years of specialized experience, with at least one year equivalent to FP‑05 (GS‑11), or a related master’s degree with six or more years of specialized experience, or a PhD in a related discipline. Transcripts are required.
• Specialized experience examples include:

• Participating in analysis of plant, insect, and/or animal health conditions, government policies, and regulatory processes affecting the agricultural market and U.S. stakeholders.
• Reviewing and analyzing technical reports on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, pests, diseases, and related economic and market data.
• Assisting with planning, coordination, or conduct of trade‑related analyses and development of solutions for management of these issues.
• Identifying, monitoring, and removing technical, sanitary, and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade.
• Investigating, researching, preparing, and providing advisories on pest alerts, new regulations, and updates affecting export/import trade.
• Determining and implementing agricultural capacity‑building and development activities to enhance trade and food security objectives.
• Participating in the identification, monitoring, and removal of technical, sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to trade.

Applicants should provide documentation of experience in their resume or application.

• Analyze plant, insect, and/or animal health conditions, government policies, and regulatory processes affecting U.S. stakeholders.
• Compile, review, and analyze technical reports on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, pests, diseases, and related E‑trade data.
• Address specific phytosanitary concerns with host countries and negotiate when trade issues focus on animal or plant health and quarantine matters.
• Manage international phytosanitary trade issues with APHIS programs.
• Plan, coordinate, or conduct analyses relevant to trade issues and develop recommendations for action.
• Identify disciplines for risk assessment and hazard evaluation of plant or animal health issues to promote proactive U.S. goals in international trade.
• Prepare briefing memoranda, correspondence, briefing books, market profiles, and background information for APHIS, USDA, and other entities.
• Prepare oral and written briefings with analysis of political, policy options, and strategies.
• Provide analytical information and advice on plant health issues in support of APHIS goals and strategies.
• Co‑ordinate identification, monitoring, and removal of technical, sanitary, and phytosanitary barriers to trade.
• Coordinate with international and domestic stakeholders and trade associations.
• Facilitate duties related to import/export of animals and/or plants and their byproducts.
• Ensure absence of infectious or contagious disease or parasitism in imported goods, in coordination with APHIS programs.

• Position start date: 06/15/2026
• Position close date: 06/26/2026
• Salary offered: 63,780 – 132,258 USD per year