Biological Science Technician

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Area, in Stuttgart, Arkansas. In this position, you will actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment, common to the assigned area of work, and contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research. Develops or designs various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor. Determines the kinds and frequency of tests, observations, etc., to be made and the amount of data to be recorded. Keeps exact, detailed records of experimental data. Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Maintains inventory of chemicals, prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Operates and maintains a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results. 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-5 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 in one or more phases of the research process in a greenhouse setting; and operating common greenhouse management 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, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related degrees may include Computer Science, Horticulture, Pathology, Plant Science, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Business, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Ecology, or Microbiology. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-6 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 scouting plant material for signs of potentially damaging insect pests and pathogens and providing appropriate strategies; operating common greenhouse management equipment; and assisting in greenhouse management activities including transplanting, watering, and applying fertilizer. 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 Computer Science, Horticulture, Pathology, Plant Science, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Business, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Ecology, or Microbiology. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-7 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 propagating, grafting, and budding plants; operating and maintaining specialized greenhouse management equipment; and assisting in carrying out greenhouse management activities, including selecting, mixing and applying pesticides as needed. 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 Computer Science, Horticulture, Pathology, Plant Science, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Business, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Ecology, or Microbiology. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-8 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-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 in molecular biological research related to plant or fungi; collecting scientific data; and operating scientific equipment used to collect biological samples. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Computer Science, Horticulture, Pathology, Plant Science, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Business, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Ecology, or Microbiology.??????? OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-9 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-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 conducting molecular biological research related to plants or fungi; collecting and analyzing genomic sequence data; and operating and maintaining specialized scientific equipment used to collect biological samples. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Computer Science, Horticulture, Pathology, Plant Science, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Business, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Ecology, or Microbiology.??????? OR A combination of specialized experience and education 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. 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. 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Please see above for education qualification requirement information.