As a PPQ Officer (Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist/Pest Identification) you will provide a comprehensive approach to biosecurity, minimizing the risk of biological and economic damage caused by exotic, non-native plant and animal organisms to agriculture, natural resources, and U.S. trade initiative, involving overall plant health activities. **Paid relocation expenses and a recruitment incentive of up to 25% of your starting salary (with a one year service agreement), may be authorized.**

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides inspection, regulation, and clearance of high risk propagative plant material and plant products and pest diagnostic identification services at plant inspection stations, port of entry, etc. Identifies or verifies identification of noxious weeds and plant pests, such a plant pathogens, insects or nematodes, and plant pest hosts. Accredited certifying official for export, which includes interpreting foreign quarantine regulations to facilitate international trade, issuing Federal Phytosanitary Certificates, collecting fees. Reviews permits, seizes shipments without proper documents, safeguarding seized or forfeited property, and maintenance of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species files. Applies regulations, facilitates clearances, and related activities, such as compliance with requirements of agriculture protocols and systems, in connection with the pre-clearance of commodities. Manages multiple program areas and/or a multifaceted programs: post entry quarantine, biological control, biotechnology, noxious weeds, or other pests. Plans, conducts, and/or supervises treatments and remedial measures, such as disinfection, sterilization, fumigation, cold treatment, hot water treatment, and irradiation. Tracks the progress of the programs and provides recommendations to the supervisor and staff on design and development of guidelines, operational standards, and procedures.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• Holiday and weekend overtime will occasionally be required.

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: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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: Experience interpreting and applying foreign requirements to inspect and certify agricultural products for export. Experience enforcing Federal and/or State regulatory orders to restrict movement, and/or issue certificates permitting movement of plants, plant products, and equipment into or out of regulated areas, and/or ensure that prohibited material is seized and disposed of in accordance with established procedures. Experience using knowledge of insect taxonomy and microscopy and available literature to identify insect specimens to genus level. Experience properly preserving insect, botanical, and plant disease specimens. 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. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in the fields of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.. 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.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]