Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Fort Collins, CO

1d

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD), Policy Development Staff (PDS). PDS recommends and develops domestic, import, and export policy for FSIS; maintains askFSIS and provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders; and develops and evaluates inspection programs and methods. The Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist drafts clear, actionable policy documents that support agency regulatory objectives and provides authoritative regulatory guidance to internal and external stakeholders. The role analyzes program data to assess inspection policy effectiveness and recommend improvements, coordinates team communication and collaboration, establishes measurable goals and priorities for regulatory policy initiatives, and resolves conflicts to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

The position requires specialized scientific knowledge and experience providing leadership and program direction in developing regulatory policy for meat, poultry, and egg inspection regulations. The incumbent applies sound reasoning and careful attention to detail so policy and information are accurate and align with the Agency’s food safety, public health, and consumer protection goals within a HACCP environment.

Applicants must satisfy applicable federal employment conditions, eligibility requirements, and specialized experience requirements. The position has an educational or education-and-experience basic requirement tied to one of the listed occupational series: Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences (0401), Microbiology (0403), Consumer Safety (0696), Chemistry (1320), or Food Technology (1382).

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period unless previously served.
• Must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; merit-promotion applicants for GS-14 must have one year at GS-13 and submit a non-award SF-50 showing time-in-grade eligibility, title, series, and grade.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including professional knowledge of biological scientific concepts, principles, methodology, and practices, with familiarity in related disciplines such as food safety, chemistry, and microbiology.
• Experience providing key leadership and program direction as a scientific professional in developing regulatory policy for new and existing meat, poultry, and egg inspection regulations.
• Demonstrated customer-service skills when interacting with Agency personnel, regulated industry, or the public.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning to support policy-based decisions.
• Attention to detail to ensure policy development and information accuracy align with Agency food safety, public health, and consumer protection goals within a HACCP environment.
• Specialized experience must be thoroughly outlined and supported in the résumé.
• Must meet the applicable basic education or education-and-experience requirements for one of the listed occupational series: 0401, 0403, 0696, 1320, or 1382.
• New hires must complete employment eligibility verification through E-Verify; federal employees must receive payments by direct deposit.
• If selected, may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Draft clear and actionable policy documents supporting agency regulatory objectives.
• Provide authoritative guidance on regulatory matters to internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyze program data to assess inspection policy effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Coordinate communication and collaboration among team members to align on project goals.
• Set measurable goals and priorities for regulatory policy initiatives.
• Resolve conflicts and facilitate consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and program direction in developing regulatory policy for new and existing meat, poultry, and egg inspection regulations.
• Apply sound reasoning and attention to detail to ensure policy development and information accuracy align with food safety, public health, and consumer protection goals within a HACCP environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits for employees and their families; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior