Status: Full-time position
Location: Harlingen, TX
Salary: $31,315.00 to $50,431.00 / Per Year
Deadline Date: 4/5/13
Date Available:
Job Summary: Relocation expenses will not be paid. This position serves the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program, Western Region, Texas State Office and is located at the Mexican Fruit Fly Rearing Facility/Laboratory. The incumbent performs duties related to quality control of mass reared insects and methods development.
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. MRP offers an array of occupations and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people
Qualifications: GS-5: Four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses, such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been in plant pathology, entomology, biology, or cellular/molecular biology.
GS-6: A half year (or 9 semester hours) of graduate education in plant pathology, entomology, biology, or cellular/molecular biology
GS-7: One year (or 18 semester hours) of graduate education in plant pathology, entomology, biology, or cellular/molecular biology
Duties: Conducts quality control tests to determine viability, competitiveness, and sterility of mass reared flies.
Collects and analyzes samples of all insect development stages daily to ensure insect development is within acceptable limits.
Monitors diet ingredient batch lots and records lot numbers along with corresponding egg infestation date.
Monitors environmental conditions in all production areas, including sanitation, lighting, temperature, and relative humidity daily.
Maintains all quality control records in an electronic format and prepares a monthly report summarizing related information.
Identifies and follows established protocol for any unmarked Mexfly that could represent a fertile specimen; performs micro-dissection of the internal organs, including reproductive systems in male and female specimens; and prepares sample preparations for histological evaluation, including specimen thin sectioning, mounting, fixation, standard, and fluorescent nuclear stains.
Develops and maintains productive working relationships with participating investigators and scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST), and other agencies.
Collects, evaluates, and interprets data to provide needed information to researchers and principal investigators.
To Apply:
For more information on this position and how to apply please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/340564300