Botanist

Job Title

Botany Specialist

Job Description

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 plants and plant parts, such as seeds, leaves, dormant parts and wood, to family, genera or species for quarantine or regulatory action.
• Serves as a recognized specialist in the broad area of botany and deals primarily in programs involving the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Threatened Endangered plant species and Federal noxious weeds
• Maintains, develops, and supplements information on taxonomy, hosts, distribution and other related information pertaining to intercepted and/or survey plant pests.
• Consults with and advises Department of Homeland Security (DHS), State departments of agriculture and other cooperators on the identity and biology of plants and plant parts.
• 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.
• Exercises agency regulatory authority by initiating regulatory action, e.g. for quarantine pests intercepted from imported commodities or new State or county determinations from domestic surveys.
• Provides technical assistance regarding program pests, and the pathways with which they enter the US by analyzing interception records for trends of pest entry, monitoring inspection procedures and establishing contacts with industry.
• Assists in providing oversight of laboratory support staff including laboratory technicians, student employees and data entry assistants.