Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer

Messiah College; Oregon (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer to play a crucial role in safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources. This position involves complex tasks such as exclusion, pest detection, and compliance with quarantine regulations. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in biological sciences or agriculture, coupled with practical experience in quarantine inspections and pest management. Join a dedicated team working at the intersection of agriculture and public health, ensuring the safety of crops and agricultural products. This opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in a vital area of national interest.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological sciences or related field required.
• Experience in agricultural quarantine principles and pest identification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-departure quarantine inspections and pest identification.
• Plan and coordinate operational activities for quarantine programs.

Skills

Knowledge of agricultural quarantine principles

Planning and scheduling inspections

Ability to operate x-ray equipment

Understanding of biological and scientific principles

Education

Degree in biological sciences

Degree in agriculture

Degree in natural resource management

Degree in chemistry

Job description

You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer (Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist - Predeparture Ops)

If 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 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:
• Provides specialized predeparture quarantine inspection for non-routine passenger baggage situations.
• Provides recommendations to the supervisor and staff on design and development guidelines, operational standards and procedures, drafts proposals or work plans and financial plans.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts all aspects of operational activities.
• Conducts/oversees pre-pest identification responsibilities (e.g., screening) and has specific knowledge of pest identification and control measures.
• Submits reports which summarize the progress of PPQ's programs.
• Provides technical advice which affects the international, interstate, and intrastate movement of crops, agricultural products, equipment and packing material.
• Serves as accredited certifying official regarding export certification.

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.
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting.
• 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.
• Must be able to travel on a routine basis and be willing to work at odd times, including overtime, weekends, holidays and shifts.

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: 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, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following:

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Knowledge of pertinent regulations, policies, and procedures of agricultural quarantine principles and biological and scientific principles, techniques of collection and identification.
• Planning, scheduling, coordinating and conducting pre-departure quarantines, cargo and passenger inspections, and/or one or more plant pest and disease detection survey(s).
• Ability to operate x-ray equipment, screen and identify quarantine materials, and make quarantine decisions.
• Inspection of various vehicles/containers/plant materials destined for movement out of regulated areas and interpreting the regulations in order to expedite the movement.

OR

1 year of graduate-level education biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.