Who We Are 

As part of its mission to safeguard America’s agricultural and natural resources, APHIS has regulated the 

importation, interstate movement, and field release 

of genetically engineered (GE) organisms since 1987. 

APHIS created the BRS program in August 2002 to 

take a more comprehensive approach to regulating 

biotechnology, keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology, and promoting greater understanding of the 

agency’s regulations among researchers and biotechnology product developers, as well as affected State and 

tribal entities and international trading partners. 

BRS is responsible for imposing stringent safeguards 

throughout the development phase of GE organisms 

until they are deemed as safe as their conventional 

counterparts. BRS coordinates this work across four 

program divisions, maintaining a rigorous regulatory 

process that includes strict compliance and inspection 

practices. 

BRS’ Environmental Risk Analysis Program directs 

and manages risk assessments for regulated activities 

involving GE organisms, which includes determining

permit conditions and approving field trials. The 

Regulatory Operations Program manages the inspection process and tracks permit and inspection data to 

ensure adherence to regulations and permit conditions. 

BRS’ Policy Coordination Program develops the policies and regulations that GE developers must follow 

and conducts outreach to domestic and international 

organizations to explain those requirements. Finally, 

BRS’ Resource Management Program oversees the 

administrative, budget, and information technology 

functions that keep daily operations running smoothly.

Your Career in Biotechnology 

Regulatory Services

Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in 

all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, 

age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political 

beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived 

from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to 

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 

for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 

and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, 

Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, 

D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Issued April 2009

Interested? Take the First Step

If you are ready to become an integral part of safeguarding our Nation’s agricultural health, join BRS. As a BRS

employee, you will enjoy a career path that has competitive salaries, flexible hours, a supportive and innovative 

work environment, and exciting travel opportunities. 

We encourage all interested individuals to apply for positions in BRS, including veterans, people with disabilities, 

and surplus or displaced Federal employees. You must 

be a U.S. citizen to apply. For more information about 

careers with BRS, visit our Web site at http://www.aphis.

usda.gov/biotechnology/regulations.shtml and click on 

“Learn about BRS Job Opportunities.”

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2009
Benefits

Working for the Federal Government, you will receive 

competitive starting pay with regular increases and

opportunities for advancement. APHIS also offers a

wide range of benefits and programs that provide

flexibility and encourage a good work-life balance.

Outstanding benefits include:

•	 Family-friendly work and leave policies

•	 Flexible work schedules

•	 10 paid Federal holidays and paid vacation leave

•	 Opportunities for recognition and awards

•	 Comprehensive medical benefits

•	 Health, wellness, and fitness programs

•	 Paid medical leave

•	 Affordable health and life insurance

•	 Domestic and international travel opportunities

•	 Attractive retirement benefits and pension plan

•	 Thrift Savings Plan (where APHIS matches a portion

of your contributions to a 401K-type program)

Where We Are

The main BRS office is located at APHIS headquarters

in Riverdale, Maryland, near Washington, DC. BRS’ field

operations are centered at the APHIS Eastern Region

office in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the agency’s

Western Region office in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

Your Career in BRS

Do you want a career that can make a difference? If you

are interested in joining an organization with exciting 

career paths, stimulating challenges, opportunities for 

growth, and high job stability and satisfaction, Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) has opportunities that 

you should consider. 

BRS employees are at the forefront in providing leadership and setting regulatory standards to address the latest 

biotechnology issues and challenges. It takes a diverse 

group of people to accomplish this work. Our goal is to 

recruit and hire the best employees, adding to the already 

rich pool of talented people who are part of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

BRS has career opportunities for

•	 Experts involved in many aspects of the biotechnology 

regulatory process—regulatory specialists, risk assessors, and policy analysts; 

•	 Biotechnologists and agriculturists;

•	 Program specialists and assistants; and

•	 Budget and management analysts, computer specialists,

technical writers, and communication specialists.

BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATORY SERVICES

If you thrive on challenging, problem-solving 

work, become part of the 

BRS team and help ensure 

our continued excellence 

in today’s fast-paced and 

increasingly complex 

scientific world.