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), Water Management Research in Parlier, CA. The incumbent will provide full technical support to the research scientist on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and improving sustainability of crop production.

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 soil, biological and/or environmental science; collecting or analyzing soil, plant and environmental samples; and operating standard scientific equipment. OR Education: 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 Environmental Science, Soil Science and Biogeochemistry or other related degrees provided that the coursework place an emphasis on soil 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 soil, biological and/or environmental science; collecting, processing and analyzing soil, plant and environmental samples; and operating and maintaining standard scientific equipment. OR Education: Two full years of graduate-level education or a master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degree may include: Environmental Science, Soil Science and Biogeochemistry or other related degrees provided that the coursework place an emphasis on soil 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 project related to soil, biological and/or environmental science research including collecting, processing, analyzing and evaluating soil, plant, water or air samples; operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting specialized scientific equipment used to collect and analyze soil and environmental samples including automated gas sampling systems; keeping records and maintaining experimental data, reporting or preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or reports. OR Education: Two full years of graduate-level education or a master's degree, if directly relate to the position. Related degree may include: Environmental Science, Soil Science and Biogeochemistry or other related degrees provided that the coursework place an emphasis on soil 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. Working Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with irritant chemicals and working outdoors in heat or cold. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, when required. .

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/.