Agricultural Science Research Technician (Plants)

Summary

This position is located within the U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Introduction Research unit, in Ames, IA. The incumbent will actively participate in one or more phases of research projects, performing complex technical duties in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.

Duties

• Adapts, modifies, or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
• Collects, prepares, evaluates and prepares biological samples and supporting records.
• Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse, and safely dispose of waste materials (both chemical and biological).
• Participates, actively, in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment including tractors, cultivators, sprayers, and controlled pollination structures.
• Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex technical equipment and automated systems used for tests and evaluation procedures.
• Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources using databases such as MS Access or other SQL databases.
• Tabulates statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers, tablets, and software packages.
• Initiates action, independently, to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results, or recommends solution(s) to supervisor.

Requirements

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/. Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License required. Pesticide Applicators License required; may be obtained after start date (within 6 months). 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. 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-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 research projects related to plant science; collecting or preparing samples of plants; and operating equipment commonly used in a field or greenhouse environment. OR You must have successfully completed one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees includes biology, plant pathology, plant science, agronomy, soil science, crop science, agriculture, horticulture, genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology and environmental science. OR You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described above. GS-08: 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 participating in one or more phases of a plant science research process; statistically analyzing or summarizing data using research databases; and operating and maintaining specialized field and greenhouse equipment. OR You must have at least two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to this position. Related degrees includes biology, plant pathology, plant science, agronomy, soil science, crop science, agriculture, horticulture, genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology and environmental science. OR You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information. How You Will Be Evaluated

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13065156 When we complete our selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared with additional Federal agencies to be considered for employment. There is no guarantee of further consideration. Other 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. 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. 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. 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. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Physical Demands The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending in field or greenhouse conditions, and the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of the work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Work Environment he work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which requires special safety precautions, e.g., working irritate chemicals and working outdoors for extended periods of time. The employee is required to use protective clothing, such as gowns, coats, boots, googles, gloves and/or hard-hats, as appropriate.