Insect Production Worker

POSITION(S)

Navel Orange Worm - Sterile Insect Program - Insect Production Worker - WG 04

Letters of Authority (Limited Appointment/ Temporary positions)— Full Time

(Part Time or Intermittent may be available under special circumstances)

LOCATION(s)
Positions are available in the following Arizona locality:
· Phoenix - multiple positions

SALARY
Determined based on locality and experience.

Depending upon experience

· WG 3 or 4 Salary range $21.39/hour to $23.38/ Hour

WHO MAY APPLY
This announcement is open to all United States citizens.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT
This is a Letter of Authority Appointment (i.e., Limited Appointment) lasting up to 180 days per service year (12 months). Positions can be extended for additional years, but no more than 180 days may be worked per service year.

OVERVIEW
APHIS is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act, and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is a program within APHIS which safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural resources against the entry, establishment, and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests, and facilitates the safe trade of agricultural products. Join our team and gain valuable experience working in the field to stop this invasive species from harming our nation’s agriculture.

Applications are being accepted from the general public for the following position:

Temporary, full-time position as an Insect Production Worker. Employees will start work immediately and work for up to 6 months (180 days). The facility operates 7 days per week, and work may include weekends on multiple schedules.

DUTIES:

Depending on the needs of the specific duty station assigned, the incumbent may perform any combination of or all the following grade controlling duties on a regular and recurring basis:

Follows egg disinfection and preparation protocols to establish rearing colony.

Disinfects colony housing equipment to ensure healthy production levels through the productive lifespan of the colony.

Operates and/or synchronizes multiple pieces of equipment for the establishment of the colony.

Provides feed to insects, controls temperature and humidity, and harvests eggs and/or adults, records collection data, and verifies that the data is correct and properly backed up in case of data loss from any given source. Separates insects into categories such as sex and/or species and controls them to prevent escape or intermingling.

Observes insect collections for obvious changes of life cycles, deaths, and general activity, and reports observations to the supervisor.

Uses variable quality control data and balance to calculate and weigh the specified number of sterile adults for delivery to different customers.

Provides the Quality Control section with a representative random sample of adults to obtain statistics

for the quantification of daily yields and quality of pupae or adults.

Determines daily production of adults by determining the average weight and inputting that data into facility database, and forwards data by email to customers, notifying them of the total weight and number of adults and the number of shipping containers in transit.

Maintains approved disinfectants to clean and sanitize the floors, walls, and equipment of rearing rooms, and disinfects them based on established protocols.

Prepares disinfectants, for cleaning and sanitation of equipment for rearing of various insect life stages and disinfects based on established protocols.

Determines when the insect rearing unit should be changed, notifies the supervisor, or changes it in the absence of the supervisor.

Operates high pressure steam washers to clean diet equipment, emergence boxes, and rearing racks.

Moves adults from controlled climate emergence rooms to refrigerated chill rooms and performs all phases of the collection process in order to prepare the adults for aircraft release.

Maintains ultraviolet light fiber optic systems used to attract adults out of emergence boxes and uses plumbing equipment and high-speed industrial blowers to clear and clean collection lines and dry them.

Safely uses autoclave to sterilize materials, water, and objects used in insect rearing.

Performs set-up, servicing, maintenance, tear-down, and cleaning and disinfection of egg layer containers, including changing egg laying substrate and hydrating insect feeder pads.

Keeps all work areas and equipment clean and aids in the setup and preparation for the next day’s duties. Follows and obeys all safety guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the selective service.

Must have a valid driver’s license.

Must be able to work alone and/or in team.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants for this position must have a high school education. A background check is required.

General Experience: Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position.

HOW TO APPLY & REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION:
Please email all required documents to the address provided below.

Required documents:

· Current Resume:

o List previous positions and provide Title, Company Name, Dates worked (mo/yr), number of hours worked per week, salary/hourly rate, summary of duties and responsibilities and provide at least three references

· Official or unofficial college transcripts (if applicable)

Contacting Office:

Karla Kekela, (602) 339-1503

USDA APHIS PPQ

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Email: Karla.K.Kekela@usda.gov

VETERAN PREFERENCE

When applying for federal jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must:

· Provide a legible copy of your DD-214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).

· If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active-duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.

· Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit a SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

· Documentation is required to award preference.

For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job- seekers/veterans/veterans-preference/

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION POLICY

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

· An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.

· An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

· An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $21.39 - $23.38 per hour

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $23