Agriculturist Job in Panama City, Panama

Vacancy No. EX-12798076-25-IS Department Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Salary $81,633.00 to $119,881.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/12/2025 Close Date 9/18/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Panama City, Panama


Summary

Responsible for supporting the United States government's contributions to pest mitigation operations and sterile insect production facilities under USDA-International Services (IS), Action Programs in Panama, Guatemala, and other locations where the agency operates or may be established in the future. These pest programs are overseen either directly or through cooperative agreements with foreign countries.

Duties

  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Supports International Services by actively participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of internationally-based pest management programs.
  • Protect the health and well-being of United States agriculture from economically significant plant and animal pests.
  • A full range of pest program activities, including insect rearing, sterilization, environmental release, quality control, methods development, and field surveillance.
  • Development and implementation of guidelines, policies, and procedures.
  • Works to ensure high quality of insect rearing, release, and monitoring technology for plant or animal pests.
  • Compiles, approves, reviews, prepares, and applies scientific material in the areas of responsibility for use operationally.
  • Receives, evaluates, and interprets information and reports, evaluating the effectiveness of production facility, dispersal, and/or field operations and accomplishments to determine necessary modifications or improvements.
  • Prepares production reports as directed by management reflecting program progress, identifying and problem-solving weaknesses.
  • Assists with the administrative aspects for the Technical staff, including providing input in performance goals and objectives, as well as reviews and performance evaluations.
  • Participates in assigned committees, work groups, or task forces with Agency officials, foreign officials and other related international organizations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of trial period, unless previously served.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • 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/
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
  • In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
  • Work inside the Production facility involves 80% standing or walking. Proper clothing and protective gear (overalls, facemask, boots and hard hat) are supplied for work inside the production facility.
  • Entering and leaving the Production Plant requires following biosecurity protocols such as changing clothes and showering upon leaving the facility.
  • Exposure to ammonia (35 - 80 ppm) or other odor gasses within OSHA limits, a range of temperatures (4 - 42 ºC; 10 - 104 ºF), and enclosed spaces without windows.
  • Selectees must be able to speak, read, and write in Spanish and English. Confirmation of this ability will be confirmed at time of interview. Formal assessment may also be required prior to assignment overseas.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.

Selective Placement Factor: This position requires you to currently be able to communicate in Spanish (preferred minimum of a Speaking 3 and Reading 3 from a certified language proficiency test). Proficiency will be evaluated prior to selection, and officially tested prior to overseas assignment. Failure to have language proficiency will result in non-selection or your removal from consideration and/or the position.

FOR THE FP-04 (GS-12 equivalent) GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the FP/FO-05 or GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Applied knowledge of entomology, biology, and ecology to design, lead, and evaluate field studies resulting in improved methods and expanded understanding of biological processes.
  • Collaborates on the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of operational policies, guidelines, and procedures in laboratory and field settings to achieve strategic goals.
  • Advises and leads teams on the execution of new or revised operational protocols for laboratory or mass rearing activities.
  • Performs complex tests and/or procedures that require using specialized methods or techniques, which may include cutting-edge genetic technology, chemical analysis instrumentation, field tools such as traps and lures or other surveillance tools.
  • Formulates program plans that require coordination with technical and administrative departments.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required:
  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
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, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. Candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. Priority Consideration is not given for this Limited Non-Career Appointment, excepted Service position. However, eligibility will be considered a positive factor at time of selection.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. Initial salary determination will be made upon selection for training and travel preparation.
  • This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit, American Foreign Service Association.
  • Limited Non-Career Appointments are term-like temporary appointments not to exceed 5 years. A service agreement will be discussed at time of selection. For more details please speak with your contact at time of interview.
  • The duty location for this position is overseas. You will be required to onboard in the US at a duty location negotiated at time of selection. During Training and Travel Preparation, your salary will be based on the position you occupy in the US. The work of the position cannot be done from the US. Failure to achieve readiness and deployment to foreign post will result in removal from the position

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Compliance
  • Organizational Awareness
  • Technical Competence


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12798076

A writing exercise may be required at time of interview.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of 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; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.
  • If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the following: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • If 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. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
  • If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal that is at least fully successful or its equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
  • Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
    • Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).

Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

MRP Human Resources
Address
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
USDA APHIS MRPBS
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401
US

Next steps

If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, your will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. This announcement may also be used to fill additional like vacancies, including vacancies elsewhere within the agency or other USDA organizations.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to MRP.Fairchance@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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