What are the responsibilities and job description for the Geographer (Mobile Solutions Specialist) 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 participate in a complex geographic mobile data collection program that includes both in-house developed applications and commercially off the shelf applications. You will also ensure end users have proper training on geographic mobile applications to include writing users manuals and delivering training, as well as, performing activities involving data creation and data management for national and international datasets supporting domestic plant pest programs.
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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Develop mobile applications independently using ESRI Field Maps, Survey 123, and other ESRI mobile data collection tools in accordance with established data collection protocols. Provide technical support on developed applications to end users via telephone or other connective software and troubleshoot hardware and security issues with iPads, iPhones, and established security protocols. Develop and provide training using various means such as webinars, YouTube videos, and in-class situations. Experience working with a diversified team to accomplish tasks and complete projects. Experience working independently and on a team, configuring applications and solving problems. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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. 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:Provides advice and guidance relative to planning, collection, evaluation, coordination, analysis, interpolation, and correlation of geographic data applications for plant protection programs.Applies best practices principles to the full range of geographic mobile applications to include meeting with customers to analyze and define customer needs and assess the most effective solution.Serves as the focal point for providing geographic mobile technologies support to both Field Operations and works directly with all management levels within the program.Prepare and recommend alternative solutions and designs to meet mobile geospatial data collection product needs for Field Operations.Assists with the development of IT-related applications that interface with geographic mobile data collection tools and data storage.Assists the GIS team in producing cartographic products that enhance the capability to determine the extent of new or emerging plant pests.Provides mobile technology customer service to internal Plant Protection customers, as well as external cooperators, to include installation, use, and troubleshooting of mobile devices.Collaboration with other program areas and GIS Specialists to facilitate compliance with enterprise geospatial data management.
Position Start Date:
07/24/2026
Position Close Date:
07/30/2026
Salary Offered: 93468 - 129742 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 participate in a complex geographic mobile data collection program that includes both in-house developed applications and commercially off the shelf applications. You will also ensure end users have proper training on geographic mobile applications to include writing users manuals and delivering training, as well as, performing activities involving data creation and data management for national and international datasets supporting domestic plant pest programs.
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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Develop mobile applications independently using ESRI Field Maps, Survey 123, and other ESRI mobile data collection tools in accordance with established data collection protocols. Provide technical support on developed applications to end users via telephone or other connective software and troubleshoot hardware and security issues with iPads, iPhones, and established security protocols. Develop and provide training using various means such as webinars, YouTube videos, and in-class situations. Experience working with a diversified team to accomplish tasks and complete projects. Experience working independently and on a team, configuring applications and solving problems. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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. 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:Provides advice and guidance relative to planning, collection, evaluation, coordination, analysis, interpolation, and correlation of geographic data applications for plant protection programs.Applies best practices principles to the full range of geographic mobile applications to include meeting with customers to analyze and define customer needs and assess the most effective solution.Serves as the focal point for providing geographic mobile technologies support to both Field Operations and works directly with all management levels within the program.Prepare and recommend alternative solutions and designs to meet mobile geospatial data collection product needs for Field Operations.Assists with the development of IT-related applications that interface with geographic mobile data collection tools and data storage.Assists the GIS team in producing cartographic products that enhance the capability to determine the extent of new or emerging plant pests.Provides mobile technology customer service to internal Plant Protection customers, as well as external cooperators, to include installation, use, and troubleshooting of mobile devices.Collaboration with other program areas and GIS Specialists to facilitate compliance with enterprise geospatial data management.
Position Start Date:
07/24/2026
Position Close Date:
07/30/2026
Salary Offered: 93468 - 129742 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!