As an Entomologist (National Taxonomist) with APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), you will serve as the authority in systematic Entomology, for thrips and psyllids and provide final identification of these insects and related groups, analyze pest risk, and make recommendations to management.

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: Makes final taxonomic determinations of thrips, psyllids and related groups intercepted at ports of entry, in samples from domestic field surveys, export certifications, and other sources. Develops risk and environmental evaluations to document permitting activities related to specific invertebrates. Conducts literature searches, and reviews and evaluates current foreign and domestic scientific literature for data on thrips and psyllids. Evaluates the quarantine significance of exotic pests based on published data and/or unpublished information gained through networking with scientific colleagues. Serves as the Agency authority in resolving scientific problems associated with quarantining significant insects and makes recommendations to the Agency regarding procedural or policy changes. Provides technical guidance in areas of entomological specialization to staff and field personnel in order to exclude the entry of infested commodities or eradicate or control introduced insects. Initiates and cultivates working relationships with scientific colleagues nationally and internationally. Evaluates formal requests from field identification personnel for authority to identify insects intercepted through PPQ activities. Determines formal training needs for technical field personnel and develops and delivers courses in advanced quarantine taxonomy for insects in area of expertise.

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/
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience providing rapid, authoritative identifications of specimens in their focal taxa, using literature and specimen collections. Experience working as a subject matter expert in insect identification and taxonomy. Experience using an applied knowledge of insect taxonomy and ecology to conduct Plant Pest Risk Assessments. Note: There is no education substitution 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. 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]