Pest Program Coordinator (GS-14)

About the role

PPQ-S&T provides the scientific and technical support needed to fulfill PPQ's mission to prevent the introduction and spread of exotic plant pests and pathogens to protect U.S. agriculture and the natural environment. For our major pest programs, we carry out hundreds of projects every year, both internally and through cooperative and interagency agreements. The announced positions will coordinate the work we do for PPQ's Citrus Health Program and PPQ's Fruit Fly Program.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the development and execution of technical and scientific projects within the assigned program area through direct and effective interaction with the appropriate individuals.
• Prepares reports primarily for developing, implementing and maintaining effective scientifically informed APHIS programs and in accordance with agency, PPQ, and other relevant policies.
• Consults with APHIS and cooperating scientists regarding technical procedures, experimental results, and interpretation of data that address a wide range of problems relevant to the needs of PPQ.
• Provides input and recommendations to the Science and Technology Management Team for program-related budget development, annual work plans, and operational plans.
• Reviews overall progress of work within assigned program area and provides results to Science and Technology Management Team in the form of annual reports and other types of communications.
• Engages with national policy and operations managers, as well as other stakeholders to identify PPQ needs that can be addressed by Science and Technology.
• Coordinates the establishment, review, and reporting of cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, and contracts pertaining to the assigned program area.

Qualifications

We are looking for self-motivated individuals with the required qualifications and background. Advanced degrees in Plant Pathology, with experience in citrus health management, or in Entomology, with experience in fruit fly management preferred. Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Applying the scientific concepts and principles of plant protection to plan or lead measures or activities for the eradication, containment, or management of plant pests.
• Working on multiple teams or groups and communicating with different levels of an organization to achieve results or produce deliverables in the plant protection context.
• Developing quality written products such as publications, extension reports, presentations, or educational materials.
• Experience critically evaluating written information to develop a conceptual understanding of the meaning of a range of the information and apply that knowledge to resolve problems in plant protection.
• Experience successfully managing multiple projects in a plant protection setting.

Pay

$131,342 - $170,750 per year