JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SEASONAL WORK
USDA-APHIS-PPQ IN WYOMING 2017
February 24, 2017Application Deadline
USDA- Animal and Plant Health Services (APHIS)-Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is advertising for an individual to work on pest surveys and related cooperative management programs using pesticides and/or Biological Control techniques in Wyoming.
JOB TITLE: PPQ AIDE (GS-3) and PPQ Technician (GS-4)
SALARY: GS-3 earns $12.53 per hour
GS-4 earns $14.07 per hour
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: Duties may include, but are not limited to:
•Conducting insect pest and weed surveys, biological control agent collections and releases, trapping and surveillance programs.
•Conducting suppression programs which may involve aerial application monitoring, conducting ATV ground treatments, collecting environmental monitoring samples, and other activities related to pest management with pesticides.
•Accomplishing all related record keeping, data entry, mapping and communication as assigned
•Cooperating closely and working effectively with rancher/farmer, county, state, university, tribal and federal land management agency personnel as required.
•Operating 4x4 vehicles supplied by APHIS. Some work activities may also require the extensive use of off road ATV/UTV equipment.
WORK ASSIGNMENTS: Activities will occur throughout Wyoming. The majority of this work will occur from mid - May to mid-August. There may be limited opportunity for work outside of this time frame.
TRAVEL: Employees will be expected to travel and travel may be extensive, i.e. several weeks per month. Travel expenses will be paid for by APHIS. In most, but not all, situations employees will be returning to their home (duty station) for week-ends.
DESIRABLE SKILL/EXPERIENCE THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED:
•The ability to work constructively and effectively with the rancher/farmer community, and the federal, tribal, state, county cooperators involved as well as with co-workers.
•The ability to follow guidelines and instructions, to be self motivated and to work effectively and independently with little direct supervision.
•A ranch/farm or other agricultural background is desirable but not required.
•An academic background or interest in biology, entomology, agronomy, horticulture, agriculture, pest management, range management or related field is desirable.
•Experience in operating ATV’s and 4-wheel drive vehicles is desirable but not required.
•Experience in using computers and handheld devices is desirable but not required.
•Willingness to work in rural and/or remote areas and the ability/potential to use maps/GPS to track and accurately record locations in such areas.
•In addition to the “skill/experience considerations”, listed above, APHIS will consider the potential of the individual selected to work “seasonally,” for the next one to multiple years.
OFFICIAL DUTY STATIONS: Duty stations will be the employee’s official Wyoming residence. Travel costs, etc. will be calculated from that location.
WORK HOURS: Full time employees will normally work a tour of duty of four 10 hour days to total a 40 hour work week plus necessary overtime. Overtime work involving weekends, holidays, or longer than the tour of duty is unlikely but may be required based on program needs.
TRANSPORTATION: USDA will provide a vehicle and pay for vehicle costs. A valid driver’s license is required.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit a resume. (Provide complete and specific qualifications which include job-related training, experience, etc. including years/months of farm or ranch background, skills, education, awards or commendations.) Specify related experience by length of time and hours per week worked, e.g. Ranch hand - 6 summers – June to Sept – 40 hours per week, Weed and Pest Employee – 3 months – 40 hours per week. ), and an OF-306 to the address below by February 24, 2017. Applicants should also include a listing of high school and college level science & agriculture courses completed.
OF-306 applications may be obtained at most Federal agencies or on line at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp, or by contacting the address below:
USDA, APHIS, PPQ
5353 Yellowstone Rd., Suite 208
Cheyenne, WY 82009
PH: 307-432-7979
All applications may be mailed to the above address, faxed to 307-432-7970 or e-mailed to: Bruce.A.Shambaugh@aphis.usda.gov
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
Males born after 12/31/59 desiring Federal Employment must be registered with the Selective Service System.
For further information call: 866-WYPEST1 (toll free) or 307-432-7979.
The USDA-APHIS-PPQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer
