This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Southeast Area (SEA), Sugarcane Research Unit, located in Houma, Louisiana. In this position, you will lead sustainable sugarcane research & variety development using breeding, genomics, precision ag, integrated pest management, soil science, & plant physiology.

Duties

Maintains an inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., and prepares solutions and reagents for use in the field and greenhouse. Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Tracks plantings and harvests at various agricultural locations and collects, measures, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records. Performs 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. Adapts, modifies, or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project. Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages. Maintains, calibrates, and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems.

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.
• 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. GS-05 Specialized Experience: 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 experiments related to plants in a laboratory, greenhouse or field setting; and operating common laboratory equipment. OR Education: 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, 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 agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, crop production, plant anatomy or botany. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-06 Specialized Experience: 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 participating in experiments related to plants in a laboratory, greenhouse or field setting; propagating/maintaining collections of plants for research; and operating agricultural 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 agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, crop production, plant anatomy or botany. OR A combination of specialized experience and education 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 collecting, statistically analyzing, or summarizing agronomic, morphological, or molecular genetic data from plants; operating, maintaining, or calibrating specialized equipment; and adapting or modifying new techniques or procedures. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses may include agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, crop production, plant anatomy or botany. OR A combination of graduate level education and 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Ehila Melton
• Phone: 5716694043
• Email: [email protected]