Summary
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area in Manhattan, Kansas. In this position, you will perform a wide range of duties involved in the operations, maintenance of colonies of midges, mosquitos, house flies, and other insects as needed, and provide insects of the proper species, developmental stage and quality for research projects.
Duties
Provides expertise concerning the activities of the insectary operations.
Maintains colonies of midges, mosquitos, house flies, and other insects.
Assesses quality of the colonies, troubleshoots issues with colonies, and makes sure that production levels match demand for material.
Develops new colonies of different arthropod species and strains as needed to meet changing research needs which includes developing new protocols as needed for the particular species.
Maintains equipment and instrumentation in top working condition, performing routine preventative maintenance and minor repairs, and promptly reporting signs of malfunction or need for major repairs.
Regularly reviews pertinent scientific literature and selects methods and procedures most appropriate for the rearing of insect colonies and meeting research goals.
Documents findings from conducted experiments and provides input into data and information used in scientific reports and manuscripts.
Requirements
You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Supervisory Responsibilities (EEO Statement). Motor vehicle or commercial driver's license required. Must be able to pass a minimal security background investigation.
Education
Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
How you will be evaluated
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13077204