Plant Pathologist (Mycology) Identifier
Summary
In this position you will provide expertise in fungal biology, taxonomy and risk analysis as a recognized specialist and consultant or team member to agency import policy staff, survey design groups, survey personnel, and Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program managers. You will also review, evaluate, and suggest modifications of inspection methodologies and approaches as an enhancement to plant pest and plant disease surveillance systems.
Responsibilities
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Identifies or verifies identification of plant associated fungi and may identify other pathogens, viruses and isolate nematodes; to genus and/or species level.
- Develops and maintains specimen collections of fungi and other plant pathogens pertinent to programs in the incumbent’s area of coverage.
- Maintains, develops, and supplements information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant associated fungi.
- Develops or aids in developing training modules and appropriately illustrated identification aids and works with national program staff to deliver training to PPQ, DHS and State employees.
- Determines options for quarantine actions to be enforced by DHS and PPQ.
- Consults advises Department of Homeland Security (DHS), State departments of agriculture and other cooperators on the identity and biology of and procedures for detecting plant associated fungi.
- Monitors samples submitted for identification, pest interception, survey data, and pest detection techniques.
- Works with local and regional regulatory personnel to analyze and characterize pest risk of pathways, contributing critical expertise on pest biology, taxonomy and detection methods.
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