APHIS Science Fellow Entomologist - Miami, FL

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.  

Appointment type

Term - 13 Months Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without re-announcing.

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:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• Work is sometimes sedentary and activities are typical of an office setting.
• May be required to travel and walk moderately long distances over uneven terrain, including in port or field growing areas.
• Required to move moderate-weight scientific equipment and operate a computer.
• Work may occur at areas of quarantine or insect rearing facilities that are warm, chilled, humid, wet, noisy, and/or contain airborne insect scales or other potential allergens.
• Domestic and international travel may be required
• Must be capable of handling personal luggage and be able to travel occasionally for one to eight week intervals.

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.

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.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agricultural Employees.
• 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
• 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.
• Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. 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.