As an Entomologist (Identifier) with APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), you will provide expertise in pest biology, taxonomy, and risk analysis as a recognized specialist and consultant, reviewing, evaluating and suggesting modifications of inspection or trapping methodologies and approaches as an enhancement to plant pest and plant disease surveillance systems.

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: Identifies plant pests such as insects, some arachnids (e.g., mites, ticks, spiders), and mollusks, in immature and adult stages; identifies specimens to genera and species and family level. Categorizes potential pest as injurious and of economic significance; cosmopolitan and domestic and not significant; or not significant or cosmopolitan and domestic but significant in parts of the US. Maintains, develops, and supplements information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests. Consults with and advises Department of Homeland Security (DHS), State departments of agriculture and other cooperators on the identity and biology of and procedures for detecting plant pests. Develops or aids in developing training modules and appropriately illustrated identification aids and works with national program staff to deliver training to PPQ, DHS and State employees. Exercises agency regulatory authority by initiating regulatory action, e.g. for quarantine pests intercepted from imported commodities or new State or county determinations from domestic surveys. Provides technical assistance regarding PPQ domestic program pests and exotic pests, and the pathways with which they enter the US by analyzing interception records for trends of pest entry. Keeps current and uses state of the art technology to perform taxonomic duties such as digital imaging, chemical diagnostic tests, and microscopy and specimen preparation techniques and equipment. Assists in providing oversight of laboratory support staff including laboratory technicians, student employees, and data entry assistants.

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.
• Paid relocation expenses and a recruitment incentive of up to 25% of your starting salary (with a one year service agreement), may be authorized.
• 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: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown 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 identifying a variety of plant pests, such as insects, some arachnids (e.g. mites, ticks, spiders) or mollusks, in immature and adult stages. Experience maintaining specimen collections of plant pests and consulting with and advising federal agencies, state departments of agriculture and other cooperators on the identity and biology of and procedures for detecting plant pests. Experience developing or aiding in developing informative and educational training material and identification aids for plant pests and assisting in delivering training to the general public. Experience maintaining information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests. OR 2 years of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree in entomology or a related discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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]