Plant Protection and Quarantine Technician

First priority will be given to applicants who apply in-person or on-line by an initial applicant cut-off of 12:00 PM Central Time on November 17. If the position is filled after the first cut-off, this announcement may close prior to the posted closing date. 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-04 LEVEL: Applicants must have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Applicants must have six months general work experience and six months specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates Assisting with collecting, preparing, and handling plant samples by following established procedures and instructions. Observe signs of plant pests, diseases, or invasive species during routine inspections and surveys.

Maintaining records and organized information related to plant health, pest monitoring, and inspection activities. Following safety procedures when working with plants, field equipment, pesticides, and other agricultural materials. OR Successful completion of a 2 year course of study above the high school level from an accredited college or university, that included at least 8 semester hours in courses such biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.

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-04 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.

The duties may include, but are not limited to:,Inspects and surveys properties for the presence of harmful insects, plants, and plant diseases, using traps or other approved survey methods.,Collects data and maintains daily program records, outlining findings, treatments made, maintains vehicle service records, etc.,Proper safeguarding and transporting intercepted contraband materials to a designated inspection point for further pest detection by the professional staff.,Contacts landowners, tenants, farmers, etc; for the purpose of securing permission to enter property and conduct previously agreed upon survey, control, and/or eradication activities.,Uses standardized procedures, conducts the treatment of, elimination of, or removal of infested, infected, or susceptible plants; the fumigation or treatment of equipment, plants and soils.,Assists with the enforcement of approved Federal or State quarantines and regulatory orders , designed to restrict the movement of plants, plant products, and equipment into or out of regulated areas.,Develops rough maps showing control or eradication treatments, areas surveyed or pest finds located.