- Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies plant or soil samples and supporting records.
- Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
- Assists in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment, common to the assigned area of work.
- Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
- Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
- Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources related to plants or soil research.
- Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born 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.
- 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
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.
GS-05
Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is assisting in collecting or preparing soil, water or plant samples in a field or laboratory environment; recording scientific data; and operating basic laboratory equipment.
OR
Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semesters in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.
GS-06
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is collecting and evaluating soil, water or plant samples in a field or laboratory environment; analyzing scientific data related to soil, water, or plants; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment.
OR
Education: One full year or progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, Geology, or Biology.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.
GS-07
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to plants, water, and soil; preparing reports based on research data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, Geology, or Biology.
OR
A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above.
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.