Entomologist (Identifier)

This Entomologist (Identifier) position is with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Department of Agriculture) in Douglas, AZ. You will serve as an identifier performing specialized and difficult taxonomic work based on major subject matter expertise. You will provide expertise in pest biology, taxonomy and risk analysis as a recognized specialist and consultant or team member to Agency import policy staff, survey design groups, survey personnel, and CAPS program managers. Key duties: • 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: • Identifies or verifies identification of plant pests and plant parts, such as seeds, leaves, dormant parts of wood, to family, genera or species for quarantine or regulatory action. • Serves as a recognized specialist in the broad area of entomology, botany or plant pathology and deals primarily in programs involving CITES, Threatened Endangered plant species and Noxious weeds. • Maintains, develops, and supplements information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests. • Consults with and advises Department of Homeland Security (DHS), State departments of agriculture and other cooperators on the identity and biology plants and plant part. • Develops or aids in developing training modules and appropriately illustrated identification aids and works with national program staff to deliver training to PPQ, DHS and State employees. • Exercises agency regulatory authority by initiating regulatory action, e.g. for quarantine pests intercepted from imported commodities or new State or county determinations from domestic surveys. Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree in entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. OR a combination of education and experience that includes; courses equivalent to a major in entomology, or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology, plus experience or additional education which demonstrates similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. 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: Consulting with and advising federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, and other cooperators on the identity and biology of and procedures for detecting invertebrate plant pests. Keeping current on and uses state of the art technology such as digital imaging, chemical diagnostic tests, microscopy, and specimen preparation techniques. Exercising regulatory authority by initiating regulatory action, e.g. initiating a quarantine for pests intercepted from imported commodities or new state or county determinations from plant pest surveys. Determining options for quarantine actions to be enforced, such as prohibiting or restricting entry of commercial commodity shipments with specific, appropriate treatment or release without treatment or initiating extensions of domestic quarantine areas. Developing or assisting in developing training modules and identification aids and assists in delivering training to federal agencies, state departments of agriculture and other cooperators. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in entomology or closely related field.. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this 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. 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.