Summary In this position you will assist higher graded technical or professional employees performing a variety of daily tasks, using independent judgment to determine which problems can be handled and which should be referred to a higher level professional employee. Responsibilities 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: Board aircraft to inspect for and to remove prohibited or restricted items such as plants, fruits, plant pests and animal products which are regulated under applicable Quarantine laws. Initial screening of air passengers' baggage at preclearance counters or upon customs referral for plant and animal products and removal when found. Proper safeguarding and transporting intercepted contraband materials to a designated inspection point for further pest detection by the professional staff. Removal of garbage or contraband refuse from aircraft or inspection locations for transport to proper disposal facilities. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-04 LEVEL: Applicants must have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience is that which is described below: -Inspecting nursery plants for the presence of a specific plant pest. -Surveying areas for specific plant pests or for the presence of alternate plant hosts. -Developing rough maps showing control or eradication treatment completed, areas surveyed, or pest finds located. -Performing survey control or eradication procedures in a local pest control program. -Answering questions regarding plant pest control procedures, harmful side-effects of pesticides to other living organisms, etc. -Inspecting vehicles in the enforcement of plant quarantine regulations. -Performing laboratory work involved with raising and/or sterilizing various insects. OR EDUCATION AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a 2 year course of study above the high school level from an accredited college or university, that included at least 8 semester hours in courses such biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-04 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agriculture Employees (NAAE).. This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 Months. (Appointment may be extended up to 10 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments