Technical Information Specialist

Summary

This position provides services to facilitate the overall missions of Plant Protection Quarantine (PPQ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agencies that are responsible for protecting the health of U.S. plant and animal resources and facilitating their movement in the global marketplace. Position will be responsible for creating and managing databases, interfaces, and information systems that connect customers with the information they seek.

Duties

• •The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• •Identifies, enters, indexes, and curates technical content in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) content management systems.
• •Assists in managing user interfaces, updating system navigation or architecture, and creating specifications for Information Services and Manuals Unit (ISMU) products while working with appropriate content, technical, and outreach staff.
• •Reviews and performs quality assurance content checks within information systems and applications to ensure data accuracy and compliance with standards.
• •Writes technical content intended for databases and other content management systems. Ensure the information is adequate, findable, and useable by target audiences.
• •Creates, maintains, and updates SOPs, job aids, and other supporting documentation.
• •Provides day-to-day customer service and training on Information Services and Manuals Unit (ISMU) digital products.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Education: A full 4-year course of study that meets all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with major study in Library Sciences, Information Sciences, Biological Sciences, or closely related field. Or Experience: Four years of experience that provided a knowledge of the basic principles, theories, practices, techniques, and terminology of a discipline or subject-matter field; an understanding of the standard methods, procedures, and techniques of research and analysis in the subject-matter field; and where appropriate, ability to read and comprehend nontechnical material in one or more foreign languages. Such experience must have been equivalent to that which would have been gained through a 4-year college curriculum. Or A combination of education and experience as described above. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate the below: FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Supporting agricultural science projects by preparing clear summaries of technical and regulatory content, producing plain-language materials consistently accepted by supervisors. Organizing and updated information across agency systems; completed curation tasks that improved search results or reduced user retrieval time. Assisting in developing user-focused information products by drafting content, gathering feedback, and helping implement updates that improved customer satisfaction or reduced inquiries. Completing assignments involving accessibility reviews, security checks, lifecycle updates, and governance tasks, ensuring digital content met agency and government-wide requirements within established timelines. OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., in, Library Sciences, Information Sciences, Biological Sciences, or closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.