You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.
Email

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection & Quarantine

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

You can make a difference! USDA is looking for a Plant Protection Aid to assist with insect trapping activities from Mid-May through September throughout Southeastern Michigan. Be part of a program that protects American agriculture and natural resources. 

Join our team!

Position(s): 2

Salary: GS-4/1 ($19.24 per hour)

Location: Reports to Brighton, Mi (2) with work performed throughout Michigan

Type of Appointment: Limited Appointment.  (This position is seasonal and temporary - limited to 120 days from start of employment.

Position: Plant Protection Aid (GS-4)

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Benefits: Annual leave and sick leave accrual during full-time employment only. 

WHO MAY APPLY: This announcement is open to all United States citizens.

How to Apply: Please send resumes and transcripts to: 

PPQ.Outreach.Recruitment@usda.gov

******PLEASE DO NOT APPLY ON HANHSHAKE! **********PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN IT'S ENTIRETY! ******

WHO ARE WE?

We are a division of the federal government, specifically, USDA, Animal Plant Health Inspections Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. In PPQ, we safeguard U.S. agriculture and natural resources against the entry, establishment, and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests, and facilitates the safe trade of agricultural products.

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES?

  • Collaborate with public entities and private property owners to secure permission to conduct survey, inspection, and treatment activities
  • Trap insects
  • Conduct post-treatment follow-up inspections
  • Use GPS or other approved tools for surveys
  • Inspect ornamental and wild trees and shrubs for exotic plant pests
  • Identify trees and shrubs for treatment or removal
  • Collect survey and inspection data
  • Maintain daily records, work accomplishments
  • Collaborate with other federal agencies 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the selective service.
  • Must have a valid Michigan Driver license.
  • Must be willing to work independently or as part of a team.
  • Selected candidates will be expected to drive a government vehicle and may spend significant amounts of time travelling to and from trapping locations.
  • Selected candidates will be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions typical of southern Michigan, with expectations to work outdoors throughout the summer.
  • Typical environmental conditions may include heat, sun, rain, wind, biting/stinging insects, poison ivy, etc.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates may qualify based on specialized experience or education:

Specialized Experience 

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 specialized experience include:

  • Inspecting nursery plants for the presence of a specific plant pest.
  • Surveying areas for specific plant pests or for the presence of alternate plant hosts.
  • Developing rough maps showing control or eradication treatment completed, areas surveyed, or pest finds located.
  • Performing survey control or eradication procedures in a local pest control program.
  • Answering questions regarding plant pest control procedures, harmful side-effects of pesticides to other living organisms, etc.
  • Inspecting vehicles in the enforcement of plant quarantine regulations.
  • Performing laboratory work involves raising and/or sterilizing various insects.

 

or

Education and Training

Successful completion of 2 years of study (60 credit hours) that included at least 8 semester hours in courses such as biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.

When a preliminary selection is made, the candidate will need to set up an account in USA jobs to complete the on-boarding process prior to final selection.

Note: Education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university

WHEN TO APPLY: Applications being accepted immediately.

********PLEASE DO NOT APPLY ON HANSHAKE, PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN IT'S ENTIRETY! **********

PPQ.Outreach.Recruitment@usda.gov

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION:

  • Current Resume (please list exact dates and number of hours worked per week for each job listed).
  • Official College Transcripts (if qualifying based on education)

 

Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must:

  • Provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Disabled veterans must provide additional documentation to be awarded preference. Please ask us about this, it must be the Member 4 copy.
  • If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active-duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.

For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. 

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation when:

  • An applicant with a disability needs accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
  • An employee with a disability needs accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
  • An employee with a disability needs accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.