- Position Title
- Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer (PHSS/Predeparture Operations)
- Agency
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- Announcement Number
- DE-10977505-21-PQ Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, December 4, 2020 to Thursday, December 10, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans' Preference?
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
4.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
Preferences
1.
Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity?
2.
Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position?
3.
If you answered Yes to the question above, provide the name of the Federal Agency from which you received a buyout and the date on which it was received. If you answered No, type NA for not applicable.
(limit 150 characters)
4.
Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Core
1.
Has your work schedule been full-time, i.e., 35-40 hours per week, for every position listed on your resume or OF-612?
Note: If no, please include the following in your resume for all positions held: position title, employer, dates employed (MM/DD/YY) and work schedule (i.e., Full-Time (FT), Part-Time (PT), etc., and hrs/wk. Please list in order with current/most recent position first. Failure to provide all requested information may prevent us from giving credit for experience.)
Note: If no, please include the following in your resume for all positions held: position title, employer, dates employed (MM/DD/YY) and work schedule (i.e., Full-Time (FT), Part-Time (PT), etc., and hrs/wk. Please list in order with current/most recent position first. Failure to provide all requested information may prevent us from giving credit for experience.)
2.
I understand for information on the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I (the applicant) must inquire through USAJOBS. No separate notification will be sent to me. To view the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I must go to the USAJOBS website and log into My Account. Once in My Account I must enter the "Application Status" section of the website.
3.
I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD 214, 50B, performance appraisal may be required for this position. I also understand that my application will not be considered if the required supporting documentation is not submitted or is not submitted in accordance with the time frames indicated in the announcement.
4.
I understand that any correspondence necessary will be conducted via e-mail and sent to the e-mail address I provided in this application process. I must keep this e-mail address current.
5.
Do you possess a current driver's license from one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or territories or possessions of the United States?
If you respond yes to this question and you are interviewed, you must be prepared to present your driver's license as confirmation.
If you respond yes to this question and you are interviewed, you must be prepared to present your driver's license as confirmation.
Assessment 1
1.
0401 Basic Requirement - Choose the one answer that best describes your education and experience.
2.
GS-7 - In addition to the basic requirement, choose one answer that best describes your education and experience.
3.
Which of the following best describes your education related to plants and/or plant pests?
Definition:
Plant Sciences: includes coursework in plant breeding, plant genetics, plant systematics, plant anatomy; weed science and management; food science; integrated pest management; crop production; plant physiology; plant pathology; plant ornamentals; nursery science; nematology; plant taxonomy; botany; horticulture; agricultural economics; agronomy; mycology; soil science; phycology; plant propagation; plant physiology; plant biology; pomology; plant virology; and woody plants.
Entomology: includes coursework in insect biology; insect genetics; insect taxonomy; insect morphology; insect anatomy; and insect parasitology.
Agroforestry: includes coursework in forestry science; ecology; disease vector ecology; agronomy; soil science; integrated pest management; environmental studies; silviculture; dendrology; botany; landscaping; and horticulture.
Plant Sciences: includes coursework in plant breeding, plant genetics, plant systematics, plant anatomy; weed science and management; food science; integrated pest management; crop production; plant physiology; plant pathology; plant ornamentals; nursery science; nematology; plant taxonomy; botany; horticulture; agricultural economics; agronomy; mycology; soil science; phycology; plant propagation; plant physiology; plant biology; pomology; plant virology; and woody plants.
Entomology: includes coursework in insect biology; insect genetics; insect taxonomy; insect morphology; insect anatomy; and insect parasitology.
Agroforestry: includes coursework in forestry science; ecology; disease vector ecology; agronomy; soil science; integrated pest management; environmental studies; silviculture; dendrology; botany; landscaping; and horticulture.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Identifying plants using macroscopic/microscopic procedures and/or taxonomic guidelines.
5.
Identifying plants, plant parts, and/or plant products.
6.
Participating in survey activities to detect plant pests and/or plant diseases identified as an existing or potential threat to U.S. agricultural and/or economic interests.
7.
Participating in operations to control/eradicate plant pests/diseases as part of a plant pest/disease quarantine program.
8.
Which of the following duties have you performed as part of the domestic quarantine process relating to plant pests, diseases, and/or infestations?
9.
I have direct experience and am proficient at carrying out operations and activities in the following areas of Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ):
10.
*SHORT ANSWER: If you responded [that you have experience, e.g., response option B-E] to the previous question, please indicate in the box below where this training and/or experience is represented on your resume. Please list only the relevant position title(s), organization(s), and dates held.
11.
I have direct experience and am proficient at performing the following functions in carrying out projects and/or program initiatives for a Plant Protection and Quarantine Program:
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
12.
Identifying plant pests or insects using macroscopic/microscopic procedures and/or taxonomic guidelines.
13.
Applying and/or enforcing plant pest program laws and/or regulations.
14.
*SHORT ANSWER: If you responded [that you have experience, e.g., response option B-E] to the previous question, please indicate in the box below where this training and/or experience is represented on your resume. Please list only the relevant position title(s), organization(s), and dates held.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
15.
Initiating regulatory compliance actions in order to prevent, mitigate, or control the introduction and/or spread of plant pests?
16.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.