Working in the Testing Section of the Seed Regulatory and Testing Division of AMS' Science and Technology program, you will prepare seed samples for testing and conduct routine tests on a multitude of crop and other seeds under the supervision of a higher graded botanist. You will also be independently responsible for answering customer phone calls and emails, logging in samples, and generating test reports.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Logs service samples into the Labworks database. Generates laboratory Certificates of Analysis and mails them to customers. Mixes and divides seed samples to obtain proper amounts of representative portions of seed required for testing. Conducts testing for purity, germination, and noxious weed seed examinations according to specified rules. Operates and monitors laboratory equipment including germination chambers, dividers, balances, microscopes, seed examination stations, photography equipment, and other laboratory equipment as needed. Adheres to Equal Employment and Civil Rights policies, goals, and objectives in performing the duties of this position.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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/
• The work environment involves regular and recurring exposure to pesticide-treated seeds, dust, fungal spores, and hazardous chemicals; noise from exhaust hoods, vacuum lines, germination, and other equipment.
• The incumbent wears protective clothing or gear such as masks, earplugs, laboratory coat or apron, and gloves.

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. FOR THE GS-04 LEVEL: Experience must have been related to the work of the position for which application is made. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Entering, locating, and retrieving information utilizing a computer, electronic spreadsheets, and/ or databases. Following established procedures or oral instructions to collect a specified amount, quantity, and type of sample or take measurements. Operating laboratory equipment such as microscopes, balances and thermometers. Preparing, analyzing, and recording data on submitted samples in a laboratory setting. OR Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 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 be directly related to the position to be filled. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-04 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]