Summary

The Supervisory Compliance Specialist oversees the FSIS Enforcement Operations Staff responsible for administering enforcement of food safety laws. Manages staff, plans and assigns work, establishes performance standards, addresses concerns, develops policies, guides legal actions, makes case determinations, collaborates with other agencies, oversees hearings, ensures regulatory compliance, and protects public health through effective enforcement and litigation.

Duties

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• Serves as consultant and authoritative advisor to senior management and program officials.
• Coordinates surveillance investigation, enforcement actions, administrative hearings, legal proceedings, product disposition, and related activities across FSIS and with OGC, OIG, DOJ, and other agencies.
• Provides supervision and oversight of EOS functions and staff by planning and assigning work, establishing guidelines, deadlines, and performance standards. Conducts and reviews performance evaluations to ensure consistent performance management.
• Directs the criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement and litigation programs to enforce Federal Meat, Poultry, Egg Products, and Humane Slaughter statues and related laws and regulations to effectively support and advance organizational goals.
• Ensures effective communication and representation by engaging collaboratively with USDA leadership, Federal and State agencies, senior executives, government attorneys, Federal and administrative judges, regulated industry, and stakeholders.
• Ensures case actions, sanctions, and settlements are timely effective, and appropriate for the offenses committed, legally sustainable, and fully aligned with FSIS statutes, regulations, policies, precedent, and public health objectives.
• Conducts extensive preparation requiring strong understanding of difficult, complex, sensitive, or politically significant issues that impact program operations and FSIS's public health mission.
• Makes case disposition decisions and recommends sanction recommendations on behalf of FSIS, and referrals for complaints, indictments, and other legal actions to USDA's Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Attorneys, and other authorities.
• Serves as an authoritative technical expert on FSIS statutes, regulations, authorities, policies, and programs providing expert guidance to senior leadership, program officials, and partnering agencies.
• Prepares and executes subpoenas, initiates and supports Federal and administrative litigation, issues warning notices, and carries out a full range of enforcement and legal actions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that demonstrates in the following areas:

• Directing, planning, developing, and implementing criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement and litigation programs covering complex, sensitive, and precedent-setting issues.
• Interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, legal authorities, sanctions policies, evidentiary standards, and legal precedents in compliance and enforcement actions.
• Reviewing investigative reports, evaluating case evidence, determining adequacy of documentation, and making enforcement action or sanction recommendations supported by sound analysis.
• Preparing legal and regulatory documents such as complaints, subpoenas, declarations, settlement agreements, case referrals, and other technical materials required for administrative or judicial proceedings.
• Representing an agency, program, or other entity in negotiations, settlement conferences, enforcement discussions, and administrative or federal court proceedings.
• Serving as an expert advisor on enforcement authorities, compliance methodologies, legal processes, and policy interpretation for executives, legal partners, and external agencies.
• Establishing and maintaining professional liaison relationships with federal, state, and local partners; legal counsel; inspectors general; and regulated industry representatives.
• Developing policies, procedures, guidance materials, and management controls related to enforcement, litigation, or compliance operations.
• Overseeing or managing case management systems, ensuring proper documentation, adherence to standards, and timely execution of enforcement and litigation activities.
• Conducting or overseeing administrative hearings or proceedings associated with violations, grants of inspection, or exemptions from inspection.
• Providing authoritative recommendations on organizational goals, program improvements, operational changes, resource allocations, and strategic planning for enforcement or compliance programs.
• Supervising, managing, and directing staff engaged in complex legal, compliance, or enforcement work, including assigning work, evaluating performance, resolving complaints, administering discipline, and identifying training needs.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: 1801 Series

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.

Education

There are no educational requirements or substitutions for experience for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.

If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

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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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.