This position is in the Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization-Northeast Area, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center located in Beltsville, Maryland. In this position, you will address damaging diseases of crops including grape, apple, citrus, alfalfa, corn, sugar beet, and vegetable crops. Our scientific advances impact agricultural crops, forest and ornamental trees, natural ecosystems, and animal health.

Duties

Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. As directed, searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Maintains, calibrates, and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Keeps detailed records of experimental data. Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.

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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

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-05 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 higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process in a laboratory setting; and operating common laboratory equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study 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 to be filled. Related courses or degrees may include Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Plant Phytology, or Agriculture. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-06 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 collecting and evaluating plant samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Plant Phytology, or Agriculture. OR A combination of education and experience 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 participating in a research project involving bacterial plant pathogens; preparing reports based on research data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Plant Phytology, or Agriculture. OR A combination of 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Jared Foret
• Phone: 7032599390
• Email: [email protected]