Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer - Towson : Job Details

Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer (Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist)Phoenix, AZBethel, OHHouston, TXSeatac, WAIf selected you will serve in a vital role to safeguard U.S. agriculture and natural resources in coordination with state officials, other agencies, industry, and colleges, as a federal liaison for plant quarantine programs. The primary work includes import exclusion, complex treatments, export activities, permitting and compliance, as well as pest detection.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:Duties are performed at Plant Inspection Stations, International Ports of Entry, and other geographical areas within the United States.Provide specialized inspection, regulation and clearance of propagative plant material, plant products and pest diagnostic identification services at plant inspection stations and other facilities.Interpret and enforce Federal and State domestic quarantines and regulatory orders restricting the inter/intra-state movement of plants, plant products, animal byproduct and other materials.Plan, conduct, and/or supervise various treatments such as disinfection, sterilization, fumigation, cold treatment, hot water treatment, irradiation for plant and animal pests and diseases.Manage multiple program areas such as: post entry quarantine, biological control, gypsy moth, grasshopper/cricket, noxious weeds, boll weevil, or other pests.Review permits, conduct inspections, prepare and execute compliance agreements, enforce policies regarding quarantine, and identify inspection sites.Serve as accredited certifying officials regarding export certification for trade facilitation.Track the progress and submit reports regarding program operations in specific geographical area assigned.Conditions of EmploymentYou must be a US Citizen or US National.Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.This position may have unique physical requirements, if you are asked in for an interview please address any questions at that time.May be required to maintain certification for the wearing of personal protective equipment, including respirators such as Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and maintain a valid pesticide certification.Travel Statement: Must be able to travel on a routine basis and be willing to work at odd times, including overtime, weekends, holidays and shifts.QualificationsApplicants 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 biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major (24 semester hours/36 quarter hours), as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:Experience planning, coordinating, and conducting plant pest surveys and anticipating and providing solutions for problems in program areas.Experience planning and conducting various treatments and remedial measures such as disinfection, sterilization, fumigation, cold treatment, hot water treatment, irradiation and/or removal/destruction of regulated articles for plant pests and disease.Experience training and/or oversight of lower graded employee in surveys; control measures; biocontrol and biotechnology activities for export of regulated agricultural commodities.OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.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 universityCOMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 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.Additional informationCareer Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section.First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agriculture Employees (NAAE).Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou 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. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.#J-18808-Ljbffr