This position is located in the Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area (PA), Fort Collins, CO. In this position you will ensuring the security and future use of agricultural, genetic, and natural resources.

Duties

Preforms laboratory germination assays on incoming and stored (aged) seed samples of major and minor US crops. Uses appropriate equipment as needed for seed testing, seed storage, and seed cleaning. Provides comparisons of new and old viability testing methodologies required for decision-making. Keeps detailed records of experimental and curation data and records it in local database. Makes additional seed sample assessments such as seed mass, moisture content and imaging.

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-5 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 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, microbiology, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related courses may include plant biology, horticulture, mycology, botany, or other similar courses provided that the coursework places an emphasis on laboratory work with seeds, plant physiology, plant taxonomy or horticulture. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-6 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 or evaluating biological samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of 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 plant biology, horticulture, mycology, botany, or other similar courses provided that the coursework places an emphasis on laboratory work with seeds, plant physiology, plant taxonomy or horticulture. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-7 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 related to plant physiology; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of study leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree. Related degrees may include plant biology, horticulture, mycology, botany, or other similar courses provided that the coursework places an emphasis on laboratory work with seeds, plant physiology, plant taxonomy or horticulture. 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Jamar Victor
• Phone: (703) 665-3563
• Email: [email protected]