- Agency
- USDA - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS)
- Location
- Phoenix, Fort Collins, CO, Beltsville, MD, Edinburg, TX
- Job Category
- Full Time Positions
- Salary
- $61,218 to $106,012 per year
- Last Date to Apply
- 08/10/2018
- Website
- https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/506792700
- Description
- Current permanent APHIS employees and CTAP eligibles may also apply to Merit Promotion announcement 6PQ-APHIS-MA-2018-0569. As an Interdisciplinary Scientist, you serve as an expert that supports programs that regulate agricultural pests; risks of the introduction of exotic pests; pest movement; and damage potential to ensure safe trade, protect natural resources and U.S. agriculture. If selected, you will serve within a laboratory or work unit within Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Science and Technology (S&T). Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Responsibilities 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: Provides qualitative and quantitative analyses for management of invasive species, diseases and other plants. Obtains, validates, and analyzes data related to pest identification and diagnostics. Develops methods of detection and inspection of pest and diseases. Develops, adapts, and/or evaluate tools, methods, and technologies to mitigate effects of populations of introduced plant pests. Designs, evaluates, and optimizes strategies for detecting incipient populations of exotic pests of plants. Develops, adapts, and/or evaluates methods and equipment for phytosanitary treatment of commodities, packaging materials, and meas of conveyance. Serve as an authorized representative on cooperative and interagency agreements. Manages projects, resources and budgets. Travel Required Occasional travel - Travel for training and work assignments may be required.
- Qualifications
- e). Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee’s duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Work may be in remote locations or in foreign countries or in areas of quarantine or insect rearing facilities that are warm, chilled, humid, wet, noisy, and/or contain airborne insect scales or other potential allergens. A pesticide applicators license or certification in use of SCBA may be required. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level. BASIC REQUIREMENT Biologist (0401) Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience coordinating scientific investigations in response to program needs that support the development and/or evaluation of new methods, protocols, or practices used for plant pest rearing, detection, diagnosis, control, management, exclusion or eradication. Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles of entomology, plant pathology, botany, or other related plant sciences which may include a wide range of disciplines (e.g. chemistry, ecology, microbiology, or population or molecular genetics) to develop methods to support plant pest regulatory programs. Experience communicating technical or scientific information orally and in writing in a succinct and organized manner to industry representatives, other state/Federal government agencies and cooperators. Experience working on committees, teams or working groups to address scientific topics that have an impact on plant health programs. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience coordinating and managing scientific investigations in response to the program needs of the organization leading to development and /or evaluations of new methods, protocols, or practices used for plant pest rearing, detection, diagnosis, control, management, exclusion, or eradication. Experience in applying the scientific principles of entomology, plant pathology, botany or other related plant sciences often incorporating a wide range of disciplines (e.g. chemistry, ecology , microbiology, and population or molecular genetics) to develop and evaluate methods to support plant pest regulatory programs. Experience communicating technical or scientific information orally and in writing on aspects of pest management project progress to industry representatives, other state/federal government agencies and cooperators. Experience working on committees, teams with differing subject specialties, technical work groups, or science advisory panels to address scientific topics that have an impact on large regional or multi-agency lead plant health programs, or internal agency organizational level changes that improve program delivery. Experience in managing technical support staff in developing and applying methods for pest management. (Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 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-11 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 Professional and Scientific Positions 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, knowledge, and skills 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.
- Job Number
- 38
- Contact Phone
- 612-336-3227
- Contact eMail
- MRP.APPLICATION.HELP@aphis.usda.gov