Supervisory Entomologist

Company: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Location: Edinburg
Posted on: January 20, 2023

Job Description:

Summary In concert with the Facility Director, the Supervisory Entomologist is responsible for overseeing all functions at the Rearing Facility, the mission of which is the production, sterilization, and shipment of sterile Mexican fruit flies in numbers sufficient to support Sterile Insect Technique technology development and suppression program activities Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Improve and enhance the rearing facility?s quality control for the production, sterilization and distribution of Mexican Fruit Flies. Review scientific data and develop or assist in the adoption of new and enhanced methods, practices and procedures. Assist in defining specific objectives, initiate exploratory investigations, recommend fundamental project methodology, set short-term and mid-term goals. Select and adapt existing methodology in the development and utilization of new technologies in sterile insect technique with potential for solving problems or increasing efficiency. Organize and coordinate the multitude of activities essential to the mass production of Mexican Fruit Flies and serves as the Assistant Facility Director for a variety of activities. Serve as technical advisor or consultant on all aspects of Mexican Fruit Flymass production to industry representatives, other government agencies, and representatives of foreign governments. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 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, as shown 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: Knowledge of entomology and the use of sterile insect technique to control agricultural pests. Analyzing scientific information and clearly communicating it to differing groups to achieve successful outcomes. Write and interpreting technical material on entomology and insect control to publish or communicate scientific data, and to provide technical expertise to staff within the workforce. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career 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. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Worksite Information: This position is eligible for telework on a situational basis. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process. Work involves walking, standing, on-site inspections of contractor premises which usually involves travel, and sometimes carrying scientific equipment. The incumbent shares responsibility for the facility's successful operations with the Facility Director. During the regular production season (40-44 weeks per year) the Rearing Facility operates on a seven (7) day a week schedule. The incumbent's work schedule will require weekend duty to ensure adequate supervision of facility personnel on all production days.

Keywords: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Edinburg , Supervisory Entomologist, Other , Edinburg, Texas