Insect Production Workers perform routine assignments involved in insect mass production, packaging, storing, and sterilization, and delivering of insects. They are also involved in the cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of work areas. This Open Continuous Announcement allows acceptance of applications through 1/21/2025 with eligible applicants being placed on the register and referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Prepares and weighs out different rearing media and diet ingredients using different scales in preparing to make artificial diet. Prepares disinfectant, for cleaning and sanitation of equipment to ensure healthy production levels through the productive lifespan of the colony. Operates and/or synchronizes multiple pieces of equipment for the establishment of the colony. Provides feed to insects, controls temperature and humidity, and harvests pupae or adults, records collection data, and verifies that the data is correct and properly backed up. Separates insects into categories such as sex and/or specie and controls them to prevent escape or intermingling. Observes insect collections for obvious changes of live cycles, deaths, and general activity. Performs irradiation and irradiation monitoring of insects prior to shipping and puts the information into storage and a database. Maintains approved disinfectants to clean and sanitize the floors, walls and equipment; operates high pressure steam washers, and uses autoclave to sterilize materials, water, and objects.

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.
• Medical evaluation and clearance by a Federal Occupational Health doctor is required prior to undergoing mandatory fit-testing for wearing protective masks.
• Protective clothing, eye protection, and protective masks are mandatory for some tasks, and noise levels in parts of the facility require that ear protection be used.
• Tasks require physical effort such as reaching, lifting, bending, lifting while bending, twisting, standing, scrubbing, pushing, throwing, filling, and walking on concrete floors.
• Lifting may occasionally exceed fifty pounds.
• Subjected to disagreeable odors and fumes, high humidity, and high and low temperatures.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your answers to the vacancy specific questions must be supported by the work experience in your resume. For example, if you respond in the affirmative when questioned whether you have experience rearing insects, your resume must include this experience, mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

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]