Biological Science Technician

Duties

Summary

This position is located with USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA), San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center (SJVASC), Commodity Protection & Quality Research (CPQR) in Parlier, CA. and will provide technical support to the Research Scientist. This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months and may be extended up to 10 years. The decision to extend will be made by the Hiring Manager (Research Scientist)

Requirements

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.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-07 Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-07 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, assisting in a research experiment related to agricultural, chemical, (eco)toxicological, or environmental science; rearing insects, collecting, or analyzing insect toxicology data; and operating standard scientific equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of a 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 Biology, Toxicology (Eco or Food or Human), and Chemistry or another related degree that provided the coursework with an emphasis on agricultural or environmental sciences. OR A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above. GS-08 Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-08 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, conducting a research experiment related to agricultural, chemical, (eco)toxicological, or environmental science; rearing insects, collecting, or analyzing insect toxicology data; and operating and maintaining standard scientific equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of Two full years of graduate-level education or a master's degree, if directly relate to the position. Related degree may include Biology, Toxicology (Eco or Food or Human), and Chemistry or another related degree that provided the coursework with an emphasis on agricultural or environmental sciences. OR A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above. GS-09 Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-08 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, conducting a research experiment related to agricultural, chemical, (eco)toxicological, or environmental science; rearing insects, collecting, or analyzing insect toxicology data; operating and maintaining specialized scientific equipment used to analyze chemicals; preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports; and keeping records and maintaining experimental data. OR Education: Successful completion of Two full years of graduate-level education or a master's degree, if directly relate to the position. Related degree may include Biology, Toxicology (Eco or Food or Human), and Chemistry or another related degree that provided the coursework with an emphasis on agricultural or environmental sciences. OR A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring running, walking, or bending; walking or climbing over rocky areas, through plowed fields or other uneven surfaces, through dense vegetation; climbing ladders to maintain facilities and equipment; and, the ability to carry or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts or machines; working outdoors with exposure to adverse weather conditions, working in the greenhouse, and working with chemicals and pesticides. Incumbent is required to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, Tyvek coveralls, ear plugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk.

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.

Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.