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Plant Quarantine information

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$27

How much do plant quarantine jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for plant quarantine in the United States is $18.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in plant quarantine, and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in plant quarantine often face challenges such as identifying pests and diseases in diverse shipments, staying updated on changing regulations, and managing high volumes of imports or exports during peak seasons. These challenges can be overcome by ongoing training in pest detection techniques, close collaboration with customs and agricultural agencies, and the use of advanced diagnostic tools. Building strong communication channels within the team and with external stakeholders also helps ensure quick decision-making and effective problem-solving.

What is a plant quarantine officer?

Plant quarantine officers are professionals responsible for preventing the introduction and spread of harmful pests and diseases in plants and plant products. They inspect imported and exported plant materials at borders, ports, and airports to ensure compliance with national and international regulations. Their duties often include sampling, laboratory analysis, issuing phytosanitary certificates, and enforcing quarantine laws to protect agricultural resources and the environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant quarantine officer?

To thrive as a Plant Quarantine Officer, you need a solid background in plant science, biology, or agriculture, often supported by a relevant degree and knowledge of quarantine regulations. Familiarity with diagnostic laboratory tools, inspection protocols, and pest identification systems is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the effective prevention of pests and diseases entering or spreading within a region, safeguarding agricultural industries and ecosystems.

What is the difference between Plant Quarantine vs Plant Inspection?

AspectPlant QuarantinePlant Inspection
CredentialsCertifications in plant health, quarantine proceduresCertifications in plant health, pest identification
Work EnvironmentBorder control points, ports, airportsNurseries, farms, agricultural sites
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, customs, import/exportGovernment agencies, agricultural departments

Plant Quarantine focuses on preventing the entry and spread of pests through border control, requiring specialized quarantine procedures. Plant Inspection involves examining plants for pests or diseases at various sites, ensuring plant health. While both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, quarantine emphasizes border control, whereas inspection is more field-based.

More about Plant Quarantine jobs
What job categories do people searching Plant Quarantine jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Plant Quarantine jobs are:
Plant Quarantine jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Quarantine job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,934 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

Plant Protection Technician

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Kailua, HI • On-site, Remote

$36K - $49K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Summary
In this position, you will perform a variety of inspection, survey, control, and regulatory functions to restrict the movement of plants, plant products, and equipment into or out of regulated areas.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Board aircraft to inspect for and to remove prohibited or restricted items such as plants, fruits, plant pests and animal products which are regulated under applicable Quarantine laws.
  • Initial screening of air passengers' baggage at preclearance counters or upon customs referral for plant and animal products and removal when found.
  • Proper safeguarding and transporting intercepted contraband materials to a designated inspection point for further pest detection by the professional staff.
  • Contacts landowners, tenants, farmers, etc; for the purpose of securing permission to enter property and conduct previously agreed upon survey, control, and/or eradication activities.
  • Inspects and surveys properties for the presence of harmful insects, plants, and plant diseases, using traps or other approved survey methods.
  • Uses standardized procedures, conducts the treatment of, elimination of, or removal of infested, infected, or susceptible plants; the fumigation or treatment of equipment, plants and soils.
  • Assists with the enforcement of approved Federal or State quarantines and regulatory orders , designed to restrict the movement of plants, plant products, and equipment into or out of regulated areas.
  • Collects data and maintains daily program records, outlining findings, treatments made, maintains vehicle service records, etc.
  • Develops rough maps showing control or eradication treatments, areas surveyed or pest finds located.

Requirements
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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 one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • 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/
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • 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.

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.
FOR THE GS-04 LEVEL:
Applicants must have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience is that which is described below:
  • Inspecting nursery plants for the presence of a specific plant pest.
  • Surveying areas for specific plant pests or for the presence of alternate plant hosts.
  • Developing rough maps showing control or eradication treatment completed, areas surveyed, or pest finds located.
  • Performing survey control or eradication procedures in a local pest control program.
  • Answering questions regarding plant pest control procedures, harmful side-effects of pesticides to other living organisms, etc.
  • Inspecting vehicles in the enforcement of plant quarantine regulations.
  • Performing laboratory work involved with raising and/or sterilizing various insects.

OR
EDUCATION AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of a 2 year course of study above the high school level from an accredited college or university, that included at least 8 semester hours in courses such biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-04 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
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.
  • 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.
  • Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

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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
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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.

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