Basic Qualification Requirement for All Grades (GS-5/7/9): You must have successfully completed a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that includes a major field of study such as agronomy, botany, entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, pest management, plant science, soil science, crop science, microbiology, mycology, nematology, weed science, ecology, biology, agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, environmental resource management, chemistry or related disciplines. If you have not completed the above described education, you must have completed
at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline at an accredited college or university
plus have appropriate work experience.
You qualify for the GS-5 grade level (starting salary $33,949) if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions and maintain composure in stressful situations; learn enforcement regulations, methods and techniques through classroom training and on-the-job instruction; maintain logs and gather factual information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records
AND transcripts which
includes at least 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university;
OR
Education Substitution:
A full four-year course of study (at least 120 semester credits) at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree that
includes a major in a field of study listed above;
OR
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that
includes a major in a field of study listed above;
OR
Will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement and the transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement that
includes a major in a field of study listed above.
Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience
AND successfully completed college education that
includes a major in a field of study listed above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.
You qualify for the GS-7 grade level (starting salary $42,053) if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with agricultural matters; research information for reports and provide information to others; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate action enforcing regulations when inspecting vessels, vehicles, aircraft and/or baggage for the presence of restricted plant materials, pests or diseases and reviewing/analyzing passengers and/or commodity documents to assess the agricultural risk of their entry into the United States
AND transcripts which
includes 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university;
OR
Education Substitution:
One full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree that
includes a major in a field of study listed above;
OR
A bachelor's degree with
Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 scale), which is based on one of the following: class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership from an accredited college or university that
includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a field of study listed above;
OR
Will receive a bachelor's degree with
Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 scale) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the job announcement, which
includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a field of study listed above and the transcripts must indicate you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement;
OR
Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate level education completed in a
field of study listed above from an accredited college or university
AND specialized work experience listed in a. above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application
You qualify for the GS-9 grade level (starting salary $51,440) if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to coordinate, plan and execute inspection assignments, investigate violations, prepare investigative reports and provide testimony, compile data, logs and prepare reports of work accomplishments and inspection operations, coordinate and assist with school or media events and plan, conduct and oversee treatments such as disinfection, sterilization and decontamination treatments
AND transcripts which
includes 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university;
OR
Education Substitution:
A master's degree from an accredited college or university that
includes a major in a field of study listed above;
OR
Will receive a master's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement in
one of the fields of study listed above and the transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement;
OR
Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate level education completed in
a field of study listed above from an accredited college or university
AND specialized work experience listed in above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application;
OR a combination of one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade listed above and
two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree in
one of the fields of study listed above.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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, and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resource office.