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.
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.