Job Title:Entomologist (Identifier)

Department:Department Of Agriculture

Agency:Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

SALARY RANGE:$47,923.00 to $75,376.00 / Per Year

POSITION INFORMATION:Full-Time - Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS:1 vacancy - Carolina, PR 

This position serves the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Program.

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:

Identifies or verifies identification of plant pests, such as insects, some arachnids (e.g. mites, ticks, spiders), and mollusks, in immature and adult stages and identifies specimens to genera and species and, where insufficient information is available, to family level.

Categorizes potential pest as injurious and of economic significance, cosmopolitan and domestic and not significant, or not significant or cosmopolitan and domestic but significant in particular parts of the United States.

Maintains, develops, and supplements information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution, and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests; develops and maintains specimen collections of plant pests pertinent to programs in the area of coverage.

Consults with and advises Department of Homeland Security (DHS), state departments of agriculture and other cooperators on the identity and biology of and procedures for detecting plant pests.

Develops or aids in developing training modules and appropriately illustrated identification aids and works with national program staff to deliver training to PPQ, DHS, and state employees.

Exercises agency regulatory authority by initiating regulatory action.

Provides technical assistance regarding PPQ domestic program pests and exotic pests, and the pathways with which they enter the U.S. by analyzing interception records for trends of pest entry, monitoring inspection procedures, and establishing solid contacts with industry.

Keeps current and uses state of the art technology to perform taxonomic duties, such as digital imaging, chemical diagnostic tests, and microscopy and specimen preparation techniques and equipment.

Details: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/378018400