Survey Scout, USDA- Animal and Plant Health Services -Plant Protection and Quarantine

Wyoming

Position Title: Survey Scout

Organization: USDA- Animal and Plant Health Services (APHIS)-Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)

Location: Wyoming

Position Overview: USDA- Animal and Plant Health Services (APHIS)-Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is advertising for Survey Scout(s) to conduct insect pest surveys and related cooperative management programs throughout Wyoming.

Duties: 

  • Conducting visual surveys for specific invasive weeds and insect pests
  • Conducting trapping and surveillance for insect pest programs
  • Conducting biological control agent collections, releases, and monitoring
  • Conducting management programs which may involve limited insecticide treatments.
  • Accomplishing all related record keeping, data entry, and mapping as assigned
  • Communicating closely and working effectively with stakeholders and cooperators
  • Operating 4×4 vehicles and off-road vehicles (ORVs) supplied by APHIS.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS: Activities will occur throughout Wyoming.  Most of this work will occur from mid – May to mid-August.  There may be limited opportunity for work outside of this time frame.

TRAVEL: Employees will be expected to travel within Wyoming and travel will be extensive, i.e., several weeks per month.  Travel expenses will be paid for by APHIS.  In most, but not all, situations employees will be returning to their home (duty station) for weekends.

Qualifications:

  • The ability to work constructively and effectively with the rancher/farmer community, and the federal, tribal, state, county cooperators involved, as well as with co-workers.
  • The ability to follow guidelines and instructions, to be self motivated and to work effectively, efficiently, and independently with little direct supervision.
  • An academic background or interest in biology, entomology, agronomy, horticulture, agriculture, pest management, range management or related field is desirable but not required.
  • A ranch/farm or other agricultural background and/or experience such as sureying/treating noxious weeds is desirable but not required.
  • Experience in operating ATV’s and 4-wheel drive vehicles is desirable but not required.
  • Experience in using computers and handheld mobile GPS devices is desirable but not required.
  • Willingness to work in rural and/or remote areas and the ability to use maps/GPS to navigate and accurately record locations in such areas.
  • In addition to the “skill/experience considerations”, listed above, APHIS will consider the potential of the individual selected to work “seasonally,” for the next one to multiple years.

Start/End Dates: May-August 2024

Salary/Pay: 

GS-3 earns $15.10 – $16.24 per hour

GS-4 earns $16.14 – $16.95 per hour

Salary is dependent on experience and education

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.