Plant Protection & Quarantine Technician (Oregon)

POSITION: PPQ Technician - limited appointment, not to exceed 180 working days or 1039 hour per year.

LOCATION: Northeast Oregon (Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa or Wheeler county) or Southwest Oregon (Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, or Josephine county).

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The USDA is seeking a qualified and self-motivated individual to work as a seasonal technician, facilitating biological control and survey of invasive species in Oregon. As directed, assistance with additional USDA-APHIS-PPQ programs may be requested or required. This position requires a self-reliant and responsible individual. Routine duties include outreach to the public and interested land managers, ecological assessment and geospatial documentation of fieldwork sites, communication and coordination of detailed work with multiple cooperative agencies. Important skills for this position include safe driving habits and outdoor safety skills, technological proficiency with computers and electronic communication, independent work ethic, time management, and organization skills, willingness to interact with public and communicate clearly and responsibly to various audiences, proficiency with basic insect and plant identification. Driving up to approximately 250 miles per day and working.

SALARY: Series & Grade GS-0421-05: Pay rate $18.96 per hour (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule). Work vehicle, computer, phone will be provided for official use.
WORK SCHEDULE (FLEXIBLE): Up to 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.
DATES (FLEXIBLE): From April up to October as conditions require, 180 working days or 1039 hour.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Successful completion of four years of study, above high school level, that includes at least 16 semester hours in biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.
OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AS FOLLOWS
General Experience: 6 months – (1) Any type of work which demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience which provided a familiarity with the subject matter or process of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Specialized Experience: 6 months – Experience which is in the occupation of the position to be filled; in a related occupation; or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position upon entry.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• Applicant must have a valid state driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Applicant must be able to communicate tactfully to a diverse public.
• Applicant must reside in assigned area.
• If selected, prior to employment, applicant must provide Official Fingerprints for background check, and:
• Pass USDA Security Awareness Training;
• Use a USAJobs.gov account to complete paperwork submission process.
• Defensive Driver Training will take place first day of employment.

HOW TO APPLY:
• Complete, sign and submit resume or OF 612 (opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/of0612/).
o Work experience listed must include ‘from’ and ‘to’ dates worked with month and year, and number of hours worked per week.
o The resume (or OF 612) must be signed and dated.
o A cover letter is optional.
o General resume guidance is available here: www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/
• Complete, sign and submit OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment, available here: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf)
• Submit college transcript(s).