Relocation expenses will not be paid. The incumbent serves as a Technician for Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). This position performs routine inspections and conducts other activities to support the accomplishment of the Agriculture Quarantine Inspection (AQI) program. The incumbent performs a variety of routine tasks, using independent judgment to determine which problems can be handled and which should be referred to a higher level of professional employee.
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. MRP offers an array of occupations and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team!
This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months. (Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without reannouncing.) For more details click: Term Appointments
APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
KEY REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizenship
DUTIES: The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Enforces Federal and/or State agricultural quarantines which restrict the movement of plants, plant products, animal products, animal by-products, and equipment.
Inspects means of conveyance, cargo, passengers (including profiling), pedestrians, baggage, interdiction activities, screening packages in mail facilities, and miscellaneous articles.
Routinely inspects vessels (reboarding) and aircraft for restricted or prohibited agricultural commodities, by-products, contaminates, and pests.
Seals and safeguards prohibited, restricted, or infested commodities as directed.
Safeguards and transports quarantine material interceptions (QMIs), examines QMIs for suspect agricultural pests, and refers suspects to a professional employee for identification and submission.
Collects and records data and maintains daily records outlining findings, such as treatments, inspection results, interdiction activities, and regulatory procedures.
Assembles, maintains, baits, installs, and collects insect traps and prepares simple reports/maps regarding same.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Applicants can qualify by meeting the EDUCATION requirements specified below and/or the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE requirements.
EDUCATION
GS-5: Four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree years that included at least 16 semester hours in courses such as biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.
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. For more information on submitting transcripts, click: Transcripts .
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Qualifying specialized experience must have provided familiarity with the methods, procedures, and techniques involved in inspecting, detecting, identifying, eradicating, suppressing, or controlling plant pests, and in the enforcement of Federal and State quarantines.
Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to:
Reviews and manifests Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) forms, invoices, and other documents.
Selects material for inspection according to established sampling plans using field techniques and recognizes the presence and/or symptoms of plant pests.
Distinguishes between domestic and cosmopolitan pests and those that are potentially dangerous to the agriculture industry.
Assists higher-graded personnel with various treatments, such as fumigation of regulated articles for plant and animal pests and diseases.
Conducts surveys and inspections to determine the presence and density of plant pests and other environmental, physical, biological, and ecological factors that may affect the extent of damage pests might cause.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 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. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Technical and Medical Support Positions .
Special Conditions:
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the Selective Service.
DD214 (Member 4 copy) or other veterans' documents required to receive veterans' preference.
As a condition of employment, a background investigation may be required for this position.
Subject to satisfactory completion of one year trial period.
Valid state driver's license required at time of hiring.
Work requires crouching, stooping, stretching, and bending; moderately heavy lifting may be required.
Occasional walking on sometimes slippery and uneven surfaces and climbing will be required while inspecting cargo and conveyances.
Periods of work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat or cold.
Work involves the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides, and fumigants; protective clothing may be required, such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, or masks.
May work rotating shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. Your resume must support that you meet the specialized experience requirements described above and are proficient in the following skills or competencies below. Please note you are not required to provide specific narrative responses to the skills and competencies described in this section.
Ability to recognize agricultural products/commodities, their origin, and their condition
Knowledge of plant pests/disease detection, identification, and control
Ability to interpret and apply standards, procedures, and/or regulations, including State and Federal plant quarantine regulations
Oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to plan and organize work and lead others
Category rating procedures will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. The following quality categories will be used: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. Within each quality category, veterans' preference eligibles will receive selection priority over non-veterans.
Your final category placement will be based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure your resume provides enough detail to support your responses.
If, after reviewing your resume and / or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can / will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you.
To preview questions please click here .
BENEFITS:
Eligibility for employee benefits depends on your type of appointment and your tour of duty (work schedule). Generally, you must be hired on a permanent basis and have a regular full- or part-time work schedule. For more information on potential benefits, go to: Federal Employee Benefits .
OTHER INFORMATION:
For information regarding CTAP eligibility for displaced Federal employees click: Career Transition Assistance Programs
More than one selection may be made if another vacancy occurs within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of eligibles.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
For information on filing a complaint of discrimination, click: Filing a Complaint
usajobs.gov - 13 months ago
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