What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineering Technician (Mechanical) position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
In this position, you will research, develop and design specialized equipment used for aerial surveying, aerial dispersing of sterile insects, insect rearing, soil sampling and pest program trapping and surveying to support Field Operations objectives. You will also prepare plans, specifications and cost estimates for new construction or major modification of small conventional buildings such as research labs and greenhouses.
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-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-08 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Coordinating the operation of CNC power machine tool programming using CADD and CAM software. Analyzing data from a variety of sources (e.g., manufacturer's drawings, specifications, and maintenance records); determines information needed concerning characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of the test items. Developing and/or reviewing plans, specifications, and estimates for mechanical systems and equipment or new construction of small buildings. OR Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in the field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology. 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-09 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Performs design and layout of plans and specifications for mechanical systems and equipment for projects by using manual drafting or Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD).Prepares CADD generated information for integration into Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) logic for programming power machine tools.Uses CAD-CAM software to produce file programs for CNC controlled cutting machinery.Design and construct devices for rearing cages and diet preparation units for fruit fly rearing facilities, using 3D printing equipment and software for providing analytical data and concept testing.Applies knowledge of accepted construction details, shop production, materials usage, and design practice.Prepares plans, specifications, and estimates for buildings (e.g. research labs, greenhouses, small buildings) subject to extreme conditions of climate or loading.
Position Start Date:
07/08/2026
Position Close Date:
07/14/2026
Salary Offered: 61722 - 80243 USD Per Year
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. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
In this position, you will research, develop and design specialized equipment used for aerial surveying, aerial dispersing of sterile insects, insect rearing, soil sampling and pest program trapping and surveying to support Field Operations objectives. You will also prepare plans, specifications and cost estimates for new construction or major modification of small conventional buildings such as research labs and greenhouses.
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-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-08 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Coordinating the operation of CNC power machine tool programming using CADD and CAM software. Analyzing data from a variety of sources (e.g., manufacturer's drawings, specifications, and maintenance records); determines information needed concerning characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of the test items. Developing and/or reviewing plans, specifications, and estimates for mechanical systems and equipment or new construction of small buildings. OR Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in the field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology. 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-09 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Performs design and layout of plans and specifications for mechanical systems and equipment for projects by using manual drafting or Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD).Prepares CADD generated information for integration into Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) logic for programming power machine tools.Uses CAD-CAM software to produce file programs for CNC controlled cutting machinery.Design and construct devices for rearing cages and diet preparation units for fruit fly rearing facilities, using 3D printing equipment and software for providing analytical data and concept testing.Applies knowledge of accepted construction details, shop production, materials usage, and design practice.Prepares plans, specifications, and estimates for buildings (e.g. research labs, greenhouses, small buildings) subject to extreme conditions of climate or loading.
Position Start Date:
07/08/2026
Position Close Date:
07/14/2026
Salary Offered: 61722 - 80243 USD Per Year
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. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!