If selected, you will be responsible for mitigating zoonotic disease transmission to livestock and poultry. The source of these diseases in most cases would be vertebrate disease vectors. The work is primarily concerned with consultations and operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of the spread of disease to livestock and poultry from wild and/or feral animal species in agricultural environments.

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: Responsible for technical work involved in animal disease control in livestock and poultry and disease vector eradication programs within an assigned geographic area. Inspects and surveys livestock and poultry facilities located on ranches, farms, auction markets, etc., for possible wild vertebrate disease vectors. Independently recommends or implements the most effective tools/devices to mitigate the possibility of livestock and poultry encountering vertebrate disease vectors on ranches, farms, auction markets. Maintains records of chemical control use to comply with state and federal regulatory requirements. Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, land managers, or lessees. Enters data into established database/system of record. May author formal reports or other documents that summarize and analyze both work accomplished and benefits to cooperators/stakeholders. Carries out duties in accordance with program decisions made in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA). May assist research efforts by participating in field tests of disease mitigation techniques or providing biological or other specimens.

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.
• 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/
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• 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.
• Extended travel or temporary duty may be required of the position. This time may involve irregular working hours, including overtime.
• Legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms appropriately and safely is required.
• Incumbents must be able to comply with both federal and state statutory requirements to possess and use firearms in the performance of their duties and must maintain state-mandated firearm use certification requirements.
• The incumbent of this position must maintain the required background investigation or security clearance level and any applicable secure access credentials sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
• To fulfill field or laboratory requirements, proof of specific vaccinations and boosters, may be required as a condition of employment to prevent contracting preventable diseases.
• Safety precautions are necessary to prevent injury to self and others. Protective clothing and equipment are 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. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Must meet 2 of the 3 examples below: Experience in farm management practices that prevent disease, such as bird and rodent control, clean water and feed, hand and boot washing, and controlling vehicle contamination. Experience working directly with stakeholders, communicating goals and objectives of a project, and determining effective strategies to achieve those goals. Conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. 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-05 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]