Summary Insect Production Workers perform routine assignments involved in insect mass production, packaging, storing, and sterilization, and delivering of insects. They are also involved in the cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of work areas. This Open Continuous Announcement allows acceptance of applications through 1/21/2025 with eligible applicants being placed on the register and referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Prepares and weighs out different rearing media and diet ingredients using different scales in preparing to make artificial diet. Prepares disinfectant, for cleaning and sanitation of equipment to ensure healthy production levels through the productive lifespan of the colony. Operates and/or synchronizes multiple pieces of equipment for the establishment of the colony. Provides feed to insects, controls temperature and humidity, and harvests pupae or adults, records collection data, and verifies that the data is correct and properly backed up. Separates insects into categories such as sex and/or specie and controls them to prevent escape or intermingling. Observes insect collections for obvious changes of live cycles, deaths, and general activity. Performs irradiation and irradiation monitoring of insects prior to shipping and puts the information into storage and a database. Maintains approved disinfectants to clean and sanitize the floors, walls and equipment; operates high pressure steam washers, and uses autoclave to sterilize materials, water, and objects. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your answers to the vacancy specific questions must be supported by the work experience in your resume. For example, if you respond in the affirmative when questioned whether you have experience rearing insects, your resume must include this experience, mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title. 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement. 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. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. 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. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agriculture Employees (NAAE) Worksite Information: This position is located at the duty station(s) listed in this vacancy announcement and is not eligible for telework or remote work. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement that will be used to fill vacancies as they occur. To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-off date(s). An initial cut-off will take place on August 19, 2024 to begin initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered, if needed. Additional cut-off dates will occur on the following dates: September 16, 2024 October 15, 2024 November 12, 2024 December 10, 2024 January 7, 2025 Candidates who submit a complete application by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the cut off dates, will be reviewed and referred if found eligible and qualified for the position. You can update your application at any point during the open period. Please be mindful that updating your application may move it into a different cut-off period. This announcement will remain open until the closing date indicated; however, those who apply after the initial cut-off date will be considered for referral to the hiring manager only if additional vacancies occur and/or the initial referral list is exhausted. Cutoff dates and the closing date of this announcement may be adjusted as needed, and any updates will be reflected on this announcement.