NRES Career Information
Resources related to careers in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

  • Biological Science Technician (soil, water, plant), USDA Agricultural Research Service (Oxford, MS; due June 2)

    May 26, 2023 2:15 pm by Taylor SiglerJobs

    Position Description and Application Information

    Summary

    This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Sedimentation Laboratory Water Quality and Ecology Research Unit in Oxford, MS.

    In this position, you will be responsible for assisting in collecting or preparing soil, water or plant samples in a field or laboratory environment; recording scientific data; and operating basic laboratory equipment.

    Duties

    • Assists higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties in a laboratory setting.
    • Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records of plant, water, or soil research.
    • Maintains detailed records of experimental data for biological research.
    • Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies by operating common laboratory equipment.
    • Tabulates and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages with appropriate quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC).
    • Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
    • Maintains inventory of chemicals.

    Requirements

    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 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process in a laboratory setting; and operating common laboratory equipment.
    OR
    Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, microbiology, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related courses may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, Geology, or Biology.
    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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience collecting and evaluating biological samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment.
    OR
    Education: Successful completion of one full year of 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, or soil; preparing reports based on research data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
    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.

    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.
    • Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer.
    • If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
    • This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.