2018 VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT for Gypsy Moth Detection Program in Illinois
Seasonal (summer)
LOCATION: Six positions in Central and Southern Illinois: Bid Unit 80- covering counties or portion of counties including Henry, Bureau, Stark, Putnam, Marshall, Woodford, Peoria McLean and Fulton. Bid Unit 81- covering counties or portion of counties including Livingston, McLean, Piatt, Dewitt, Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion. Bid Unit 82- covering counties or portion of counties including Woodford, McLean, DeWitt, Macon, Logan, Sangamon, Menard, Mason, Fulton, Peoria and Tazewell. Bid Unit 83- covering counties or portion of counties including Adams, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Macoupin, Greene, Calhoun, Jersey, Madison and St. Clair. Bid Unit 84- St. Clair, Monroe, Washington, Clinton, Jefferson, Perry, Randolph, Franklin, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Alexander. Bid Unit 85- covering counties or portion of counties Brown, Cass, Schuyler, Fulton, McDonough, Hancock, Henderson, Warren, Knox, Mercer, Henry and Rock Island.
SALARY: Series & Grade GS-0421-03/04: Pay rate $12.74 per hour for GS3, $14.30 for GS4. Work vehicle may be provided. Average daily driving requirement is 100-250 miles.
WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week, 8:00AM – 4:30PM, Monday through Friday
JOB DESCRIPTION: The USDA is seeking qualified and self-motivated individuals to work as seasonal Gypsy 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 Global Position System (GPS) unit, upload trapping data to database , 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 approx. 250 miles per day, work outdoors in rugged terrain and commitment to work through the season. These positions require very responsible individuals.
JOB 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 particular 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:
- Complete, sign and submit Resume or OF 612 (Optional Form for Federal Employment). Work experience information must include “from” and “to” dates worked with month and year and number of hours worked per week. To obtain an OF 612 (Optional Form for Federal Employment), please visit: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/index.shtml#other The OF 612 may still be used for this job announcement, even though the form is no longer available through OPMobsolete form. The Resume or OF 612 must be signed and dated.
- Complete, sign and submit Optional Form 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). To obtain an OF306, visit the web site above or www.opm.gov/forms .
- Complete, sign and submit Availability and Driving Record Forms. To obtain these forms call or E-mail Laura Khan below at 217-398-1724 or Laura.Ettema-Khan@aphis.usda.gov and request them.
- Submit college transcripts (from the college- not the internet) if applicable.
- Submit application forms (OF612 or Resume, OF306, Availability Form and Driving Record Form) and college transcripts to Laura E. Khan at the Champaign office by COB March 16, 2018. Contact information listed below.
- Selected applicants must provide Official Fingerprints for background check and must pass USDA Security Awareness Training prior to employment. Defensive Driver Training will take place first day of employment.
- 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.
Send the completed application and forms to:
Laura E. Khan
USDA, APHIS, PPQ
1817 South Neil St., Suite 105
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-398-1698 or 1724 Fax: 217-398-1732
E-mail: Laura.Ettema-Khan@aphis.usda.gov