USDA APHIS PPQ PCN Program logo

PPQ Bio Aid

USDA APHIS PPQ PCN Program

Idaho Falls, IDSeasonal$15.54–17.45/hrSeen 1w agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$15.54–17.45/hr
Location
Idaho Falls, ID
Schedule
Seasonal
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

The USDA’s Pale Cyst Nematode Program in Idaho Falls is hiring seasonal Bio Aids and Technicians across survey, regulatory, and soil-processing divisions. Survey teams collect soil samples in agricultural fields; regulatory teams clean farm equipment to prevent pest spread; and soil-processing staff screen samples in a laboratory. Work may involve outdoor conditions, extended walking, lifting, equipment operation, or prolonged sitting or standing. Training is provided.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Lifting 30-50 LbsHigh-Pressure Wash Unit OperationMicroscope OperationAgricultural ExperienceLaboratory ExperienceHeavy Equipment Experience

Full job description

This job was posted by https://idahoworks.gov : For more information, please see: https://idahoworks.gov/jobs/2499778 image1.jpg United States Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pale Cyst Nematode (PCN) Program The US Department of Agricultures Pale Cyst Nematode Program, located in Idaho Falls, ID, is seeking to fill several seasonal vacancies: PPQ Bio Aid GS-03 and PPQ Technician GS-04 in the Survey, Regulatory, andSoil Processing divisions of the program. The PCN Program offers interesting, fast-paced work, usually in the great outdoors. During the peak (April October) field operations, work hours may range between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Applicants with full-time availability are preferred, but flexibility around school schedules may be considered. Most vacancies are within the Survey division. Teams of six to eight employees will travel throughout southeastern Idaho collecting soil samples from agricultural fields, which will later be screened for the presence of PCN, a major pest of potato plants that is not harmful to humans or animals. The work mostly consists of walking in agricultural fields collecting soil samples, in a variety of weather extremes, often away from shelter and conveniences. Employees can expect to walk 7-10 miles/day. Expect to be walking on rough, loose, uneven, or hilly terrain. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs is required. Vacanciesin the Regulatorydivision involve working in mobile sanitation teams cleaning farm equipment in PCN-regulated areas to prevent the spread of PCN between agricultural fields. Ability to operate a high-pressure wash unit is required. Vacancies in theSoil Processing Facility (Mainly November - February) involve screening soil samples for the presence of the pale cyst nematode. The ability to operate a microscope and sit or stand in one place for extended periods of time is required. The laboratory operates from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Although previous agricultural, laboratory, or heavy equipment experience are desirable, all applicants will be considered. Thorough training is provided for successful applicants in each position. Pay ranges from $15.54 to 17.45 per/hour, depending upon experience and qualifications. Submit a 2-page (only) resume to: 2281 West Heyrend Way Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Phone: (208) 522-2431 Office hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 4:00 pm USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,067 open Laboratory Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$15.54–17.45/hr
  • US median$22–26/hr1,003 hourly ranges

This range's midpoint, $16.49/hr, is 31% below the US median midpoint ($24/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Laboratory Technician hourly ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 2,067 open Laboratory Technician jobs across the US. None of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
Laboratory Technician postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 2 years (880 postings).
Education
286 of the 2,067 open Laboratory Technician jobs (14%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

Similar jobs, posted recently

Open roles like this one, listed in the last 30 days.

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.