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As an APHIS Science Fellow Entomologist your primary area of responsibility of this position is the treatment schedules for economically important Tephritidae under controlled laboratory conditions, and to translate these findings into an effective phytosanitary treatment system that can be utilized in the field.

  • This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 Months. (Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing or assisting in methods, practices, and procedures necessary to improve the effectiveness of either existing or novel phytosanitary treatment systems.
  • Planning and execution of a series of studies to determine the lethal treatment parameters for major economically important fruit flies under controlled laboratory conditions.
  • Evaluate variables such as species, life stage, colony source and vigor, treatment application method, duration, dose, temperature, and other variables on fly mortality.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment on target pests, as well as impacts to commodity quality.
  • Analysis of complex entomological problems with multiple biological and environmental variables.
  • Communicates achievements and the availability of the technology to ST program managers, PPQ managers, APHIS field programs, and Stakeholders.
  • Participates in projects, coordinates and carries out effective meetings, participates in decision-making processes, and helps to maintain a cohesive work environment.
  • Independently analyzes and interprets scientific data and information, prepares reports, standard operating procedures and transfer plans.

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National

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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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:

  • Knowledge of entomology and the use of treatments in controlling quarantine pests or knowledge of entomology and the physiological responses of insects to temperature stress.
  • Experience managing projects and facilitating cooperation among team members to accomplish outcomes in a scientific setting.
  • Experience communicating scientific information to differing groups.
  • Experience writing in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

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.

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:

 

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Pest Control
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Public Safety and Security
  • 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/12372569