In this position you will provide expertise in pest biology, taxonomy and risk analysis as a recognized specialist and consultant or team member to agency import policy staff, survey design groups, survey personnel, and Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program managers. You will also review, evaluate and suggest 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 or verifies identification of plant pests such as insects, some arachnids, and mollusks to genera and species and the family level. Refers some pests to National Identifiers, when virtually no pertinent reference material is available, or the interception is particularly unusual. Monitors samples submitted for identification, pest interception, survey data, and pest detection techniques. Maintains, develops, and supplements information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests. Determines options for quarantine actions to be enforced by DHS and PPQ. 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.

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.
• 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.
• A visual test of mycology identification may be part of the interview process for this position.
• Must be able to perform work while wearing a respirator while overseeing fumigations.
• Essential functions require the work to be performed in an inspection station or a laboratory setting. There are regular and recurring risks associated with working around and with chemicals.
• Working overtime may be required and is routinely expected.
• Must be able to travel on a routine basis and be willing to work at odd times, including overtime, weekends, holidays and shifts.
• This position is telework eligible in special, rare circumstances.

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, 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: Has performed specialized and difficult taxonomic work based on major subject matter expertise. Identifying or verifying identification of 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, where insufficient information is available, to the family level. Maintained, developed, and supplemented information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution, and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests. Developed and maintained specimen collections of plant pests pertinent to programs 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 (insects, some arachnids and mollusks). Developed or aided in developing training modules and identification aids and assisted in delivering training to federal agencies, state departments of agriculture and other cooperators. 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. 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]