United States Department of Agriculture
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Open: March 1, 2023
Closed: April 7, 2023 Extended
Ref#: 23-SM-ILPPQ
2023 VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT for Spongy Moth Detection Program in Illinois
POSITION:
Plant Protection and Quarantine Aid/Technician - limited appointment, not to exceed 180 working days during the first year.
LOCATION: Two positions in Central Illinois: Bid Unit 81- covering counties or portions of counties including Champaign, Vermillion, Ford, Iroquois, Piatt, DeWitt, McLean, and Livingston. Bid Unit 82- covering counties or portion of counties including McLean, DeWitt, Macon, Sangamon, Logan, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, LaSalle, Livingston, and Woodford.
SALARY:
Series & Grade GS-0421-03/04/05: Pay rate GS3 -$14.38 per hour, GS4 -$16.14 per hour, GS5 -$18.06 per hour. Work vehicle provided. Average daily driving requirement is 100-250 miles.
WORK SCHEDULE:
40 hours per week, 8:00AM – 4:30PM, Monday through Friday
DATES:
Summer positions start late April to early May and end late August to early September. Dates are approximate depending upon weather conditions and insect development. Work will last approximately 13 weeks over a 16-week period.
A 3-4-week unpaid furlough will be required after trap set, this falls during approximately month of July.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The USDA is seeking qualified and self-motivated individuals to work as seasonal Spongy Moth Trappers, setting, servicing, and removing traps throughout a multiple-county area within Illinois. Additional duties include plan routes, follow trap assignment maps, assemble gypsy moth traps, contact property owners, prepare weekly reports, collect and record accurate data, use ESRI Field Maps Data Collection application with Global Position System (GPS) unit, upload trapping data to database, correct data errors, assist in mitigation treatments, communicate regularly and as directed by supervisor, assist with additional survey programs as needed. The following abilities are important: work independently, prioritize work, good verbal communication skills, ability and willingness to interact with public, learn simple insect identification, practice safe driving habits, drive up to approximately 250 miles per day, work outdoors in rugged terrain and commitment to work through the season. These positions require very responsible individuals.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Grade GS-3: Successful completion of one year of study, above high school, that includes at lease 4 semester hours in courses such as biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.
Grade GS-4: Successful completion of two years of study, above high school level, that includes at least 8 semester hours in the course work mentioned above.
Grade GS-5: Successful completion of 4 years of study that included at least 16 semester hours in courses such as those shown above.
OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AS FOLLOWS
General Experience: 6 months – (1) Any type of work which demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience which provided a familiarity with the subject matter or process of the broad subject area of the occupation
Specialized Experience: 6 months – Experience which is in the occupation of the position to be filled; in a related occupation; or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation, which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position upon entry.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
Applicant must have a valid state driver’s license and a good driving record.
Applicant must be able to communicate verbally in a tactful way to a diverse public.
Applicant must reside in assigned trapping area.
HOW TO APPLY:
1. Sign and submit Resume. Experience information must include “from” and “to” dates worked with month and year and number of hours worked per week, FT, or PT.
2. Complete, sign and submit Optional Form 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). To obtain an OF306, visit the web site above or https://www.opm.gov/forms
3. Complete, sign and submit Availability and Driving Record Forms. To obtain these forms call or E-mail Laura Khan below at 217-417-4355 or Laura.Ettema-Khan@usda.gov and request them.
4. Submit college transcripts
5. Submit application forms (Resume, OF306, Availability Form and Driving Record Form) and college transcripts to Laura E. Khan at the Champaign office by COB April 7, 2023. Contact information listed below.
6. Selected applicants must provide Official Fingerprints for background check and must pass USDA Security Awareness Training and Defensive Driver Training prior to employment.
7. If you have any questions about the position or would like to request an application packet, please call, or email Laura Khan for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Send the completed application and forms to:
Laura Ettema Khan
USDA, APHIS, PPQ
1817 South Neil St., Suite 105
Champaign, IL 61820
Cell Phone: 217-417-4355
Office Phone: 217-398-1698
E-mail: Laura.Ettema-Khan@usda.gov
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates will be considered without discrimination for any non merit reasons such as race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
