Incumbent performs routine work involving the support, rearing, and maintenance of host colonies and parasitoid colonies. This includes works independently and in concert with other staff members to sustain an efficient and cohesive workforce, ensure collaboration and knowledge transfer and support work-life balance.

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: Schedules, organizes, and executes projects for identifying pest problems. Independently conducts field and laboratory projects that support programs for developing methods to exclude, control detect, and/or rear invasive pests. Provides assistance to lower graded technicians on issues related to Standard Operations Procedures (SOP), daily activities, policies, and directives as appropriate. Uses computers to enter production and/or quality control data into spreadsheets. Operates and ensures maintenance of standard laboratory and field equipment such as balances, microscopes, and GPS units as well as specialized equipment. Observes all health and safety regulations and practices in the laboratory and the field. Provides input on the development and maintenance of SOPs or other similar manuals in areas directly related to the assignment. Maintains colonies of insect species within laboratory and/or quarantine facilities. Scouts for potential collection sites, contacts property owners for permission to use sites, and set up collection equipment. Collects samples.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• 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.
• Occasional field work and/or travel may be required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Independently performing all aspects of insect-rearing duties in a parasitic hymenopteran (wasps for biological control) mass-production setting. Performing all aspects of care for greenhouse-grown plant material (ash trees), setting up and maintaining wood boring beetle (emerald ash borer) and parasitic hymenopteran (wasps for biological control) rearing enclosures, maintaining a safe and sanitary laboratory environment, performing quality control on insect and plant material in the laboratory, etc. Preparing detailed laboratory reports, such as the results of specific projects, wherein the candidate performed statistical analysis of data as directed by supervisor. OR One full year of directly related graduate education in a field of study such as biology, entomology, or related fields. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: 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-06 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

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]