Typical Beagle Brigade Job Vacancy Announcement

(taken from Miami Vacancy Announcement Dec. 2001)

Position:
PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE OFFICER, CANINE

GS-0436-05/07

Salary:
$24,381 - $39,258 per year



Promotion Potential: GS-09

Duty Location: 4 vacancies at Miami, FL


WHO MAY APPLY:


Open to all qualified persons.

MAJOR DUTIES:
Incumbent enforces Federal laws and regulations designed to prevent the introduction of foreign plant and animal
pests and plant disease potentially harmful to crops, ornamentals, forests, and livestock. Incumbent uses detector dogs to inspect ships, aircraft, vehicles, passengers, railway cars, mail, baggage, plants, animal by-products,etc., for restricted or prohibited agricultural commodities, animal by-products and pests that may be dangerous to the nation's agriculture.
Reviews manifests, incoming PPQ forms, consular invoices, etc., associated with the import of products. Incumbent is also responsible for canine health, behavior and proficiency; also, developing and conducting training programs for detector dogs and agricultural quarantine programs.


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:


BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Four Year Degree: major in biological science, agriculture, or a closely related field (from an accredited college or university). This course of study must have included at least 20 semester
hours in such course work as agronomy, cell biology, botany, entomology, forestry, horticulture, mycology, nematology, plant pathology, soil science, or other closely related courses.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE TOTALING FOUR YEARS - courses  equivalent to a major in biological science, agriculture, or a closely related field, including at least 20 semester hours of course work as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. (Note: 24 semester hours is equivalent to a major.)

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-7 LEVEL:

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, APPLICANTS MUST ALSO MEET ONE
OF THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW:

Superior Academic Achievement: A standing in the upper third of your class of major subdivision; a grade point average of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) for all courses completed at (a) time of application, or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; a grade point average of 3.5 or better for all courses completed in your major field of study or membership in a national honor society (that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies).
OR
One full academic year of progressively higher graduate level education in course work listed above.
OR
One year of professional experience. This experience must have been in or directly related to plant protection and quarantine work.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Candidates should submit a narrative statement on a separate page(s) with specific responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in this announcement. Failure to submit your narrative response to the KSAs for this job may negatively affect your eligibility and/or rating for this position.


BASIS OF RATING:

Applicants meeting basic eligibility requirements will be rated and ranked on the knowledges, skills and abilities, and other characteristics (KSA's) required to perform the duties of the position. Please review KSA's carefully. Include in the write-ups such things as experience in and out of Federal service that gave you the specific knowledge, skill or ability; objectives of your work; and evidence of your success (such as accomplishments, awards received, etc.)


1. Knowledge of biological sciences. Describe your experience in identifying various agricultural products and pests that could affect agricultural production.
2. Knowledge of pesticides and/or pest control methods/practice. Describe your experience in pesticide application (home, farm, or commercial); biological control/pesticide work or similar experience.
3. Skill in communicating with diverse groups under a variety of  circumstances in order to convey information, influence and obtain desired results (fluency in languages other than English).
4. Ability to work with diverse groups of people which includes different cultures, races, sexes and/or religions. Describe how you acquired these skills.
5. Ability to train and handle dogs.
6. Ability to train and handle other animals.
7. Knowledge of general canine health care.

PAY, BENEFITS, AND WORK SCHEDULE:

This is a permanent, career-conditional appointment. Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System.


This position will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Upon completing any required probationary period, the position will be permanent.


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire noncitizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.

This is not a drug-testing designated position.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.  Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Occasional travel may be required.

This position requires completion of a one year probationary period.


SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

1. Automobile Driving Requirements: All Plant Protection and Quarantine Officers are required to operate a motor vehicle and must possess a valid State Driver's License at time of appointment.

2. WORK WEEK: Plant Protection and Quarantine Officers work a scheduled 40 hour work week which is arranged to cover the duties at an assigned duty station for the period Monday through Saturday. Sunday is excluded from the basic work week and is treated as an overtime day. The work schedule may include night assignments, occasional overtime and holiday work. Overtime rates of pay apply to work performed outside the regularly scheduled tour of duty or in excess of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Work on Sundays, holidays and scheduled night assignments is subject to premium pay.

3. EMPLOYMENT IS SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF A 1-YEAR PROBATIONARY
PERIOD. SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD INCLUDES:
-Achieving a grade of 80 percent for New Officer Training (NOT) in each major subject area.
-Demonstrating satisfactory job performance and conduct during the probationary period.

A. NEW OFFICER TRAINING - The purpose of NOT is to provide relevant training to help PPQ Officers acquire new skills and knowledge to enable them to accomplish PPQ's mission.

NOT consists of approximately 9 weeks of technical instruction. Most of the instruction will take place at the Professional Development Center in Frederick, MD. Other portions of NOT will be completed at your work unit. Your training will begin as soon after your appointment as possible, but no later than 9 months after you enter on duty.

B. CANINE TRAINING - The Canine Training is 10 weeks at the Canine Training Center in Orlando, Florida. Candidates failure to successfully complete the APHIS Detector Dog Course requirements will be placed in a PPQ Officer, GS-0436 (non-Canine) position.

C. PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION - All PPQ Officers must complete a prescribed training program and pass an examination to be certified as Regulatory Pest Control Applicators. Officers must pass the certification
examination within the probationary period.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1997, EMPLOYEES WHO ARE HIRED INTO THE GS-0436 SERIES WILL
BE REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. AFTER
EMPLOYMENT, COMPLETION OF THE SF-86, QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS AND THE SF-312, CLASSIFIED INFORMATION NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT IS REQUIRED.

FAILURE TO RECEIVE CLEARANCE WILL RESULT IN A DECISION TO REMOVE YOU FROM YOUR
GS-0436 POSITION.

 
Veterans - Long. You must clearly identify your claim for veterans preference on your application.

o 5-POINT PREFERENCE. A 5-point preference is granted to veterans who served prior to 1976 and served at least six months on active duty. Those who served after 1980 and 1982 must have served at least two years on active duty.

A 5-point preference is also granted to veterans who served on active duty during the Gulf War from August 2, 1990 through January 2, 1992. The law grants preference to anyone who is otherwise eligible and who served on active duty during this period regardless of where the person served or for how long. "Otherwise eligible" means that the person must have been released from the  service under honorable conditions and must have served a minimum of two years on active duty, or if a Reservist, must have served the full period for which  called to active duty.

If you are claiming a 5-point veteran preference please provide a DD-214,   Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof of   entitlement. Tentative preference will be granted in the absence of   paperwork.

o 10-POINT PREFERENCE. You may be entitled to a 10-point veteran preference if you are a disabled veteran; you have received the Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a 100% disabled veteran; or, you are the widow, widower, or mother of a deceased veteran. If you are claiming 10-point veteran preference, you will need to submit an SF-15, Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, plus the proof required by that form.