POSITION

• WG-5031-04 Insect Production Worker

SALARY

• $17.52 to $25.69 per Hour

Salary will vary based on location. New Hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate

of the salary range for the grade and location selected.

PROGRAM AREA

• Plant Protection and Quarantine, Field Operations, Multiple Districts

DUTY LOCATION

• Multiple – Phoenix, AZ; Edinburg, TX; Harlingen, TX; Sarasota, FL

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-time

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT

• Term Appointments - 13 Month initial appointment, may be extended up to a total of 4 years.

• Permanent Appointments - Some locations may have Permanent positions available.

NUMBER OF VACANCIES

• Multiple at all locations

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• No

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.

• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

• Successful completion of one-year trial period or probationary period as applicable.

• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments

made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.

• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your

rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

WHO MAY APPLY

Non-competitive Hiring Authorities. Veterans – VRA or 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Schedule A (persons with 

disabilities), Military Spouses, Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers. 

OVERVIEW

APHIS is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural 

health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act, and conducting
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wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and 

promote food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is a 

program within APHIS which safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural resources against the entry, establishment, 

and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests, and facilitates the safe trade of agricultural 

products. Join our team and gain valuable experience working in the field to stop this invasive species from 

harming our nation’s agriculture. 

This position performs routine, repetitive assignments involved in insect mass production, packaging, storing, 

sterilization, and delivering of insects, and is also involved in the cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of work 

areas in support of the insect production program in a designated state/Duty Station.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending on the needs of the specific duty station assigned, the incumbent may perform any combination of or 

all the following duties on a regular and recurring basis:

• Operates and/or synchronizes multiple pieces of equipment for the establishment of the colony.

• Follows egg disinfection and preparation protocols to establish rearing colony.

• Prepares and weighs out different rearing media and diet ingredients using different scales. 

• Provides feed to insects, controls temperature and humidity, and harvests pupae or adults, records 

collection data. 

• Separates insects into categories such as sex and/or species and controls them to prevent escape or 

intermingling.

• Observes insect collections for obvious changes of life cycles, deaths, and general activity, and reports 

observations to the supervisor.

• Performs set-up, servicing, maintenance, tear-down, and cleaning and disinfection of egg layer containers. 

• Keeps all work areas and equipment clean and aides in the setup and preparation for the next day’s 

duties.

• Performs irradiation and irradiation monitoring of insects prior to shipping and puts the information into 

storage and/or a database.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants for this position must have a high school education. Secondary course work or experience in 

biological sciences is preferred but is not required. A background check is required.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration gary.a.rakow@usda.gov. Please list the 

Position Title in the subject line.

• Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 

3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work 

schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other 

qualifications or certifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed 

and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks. 

• When claiming Veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, 

which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you 

must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable 

conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.

• Disabled Veterans must also submit a VA Disability Letter (if applicable) for verification of serviceconnected disability.

• Schedule A candidates must include a Schedule A Letter for eligible disabled persons. To be eligible for 

Schedule A, you must provide a proof of a disability letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, 
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severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. You can get this letter from your doctor, a licensed 

medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist or any federal, state, or local agency 

that issues or provides disability benefits. Letter must be on office Letterhead.

• Military Spouses must provide a copy of: Spouse ID card, Copy of Active-Duty spouses military orders, and 

marriage certificate.

• Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers must provide their NCE letter.

• Must submit a copy of Transcripts if qualifying with education as listed in qualifications section. 

Transcripts can be unofficial but, if selected, candidates will be required to submit official transcripts 

before start date.

Equal Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

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