Entomologist National Taxonomist

As an Entomologist (National Taxonomist) with APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), you will serve as the authority in systematic Entomology, for thrips and psyllids and provide final identification of these insects and related groups, analyze pest risk, and make recommendations to management.

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Makes final taxonomic determinations of thrips, psyllids and related groups intercepted at ports of entry, in samples from domestic field surveys, export certifications, and other sources.
• Develops risk and environmental evaluations to document permitting activities related to specific invertebrates.
• Conducts literature searches, and reviews and evaluates current foreign and domestic scientific literature for data on thrips and psyllids.
• Evaluates the quarantine significance of exotic pests based on published data and/or unpublished information gained through networking with scientific colleagues.
• Serves as the Agency authority in resolving scientific problems associated with quarantining significant insects and makes recommendations to the Agency regarding procedural or policy changes.
• Provides technical guidance in areas of entomological specialization to staff and field personnel in order to exclude the entry of infested commodities or eradicate or control introduced insects.
• Initiates and cultivates working relationships with scientific colleagues nationally and internationally.
• Evaluates formal requests from field identification personnel for authority to identify insects intercepted through PPQ activities.
• Determines formal training needs for technical field personnel and develops and delivers courses in advanced quarantine taxonomy for insects in area of expertise.

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: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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 providing rapid, authoritative identifications of specimens in their focal taxa, using literature and specimen collections.
• Experience working as a subject matter expert in insect identification and taxonomy.
• Experience using an applied knowledge of insect taxonomy and ecology to conduct Plant Pest Risk Assessments.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

 

• Entomology
• Research

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12461921