This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Soil Dynamics Research Unit, Auburn, AL. In this position, you will participate as a team member with scientists in all phases of the research process and assume full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research.

Duties

Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment (i.e., Soil Samplers, Soil moisture meters, Leaf area meters, Soil pH meters, Soil grinders, and Plant grinders). Performs routine care, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory, field and greenhouse instruments (e.g. soil and plant measurement equipment, tractors and trailers, utility task vehicle, drills, planters, and liquid nitrogen applicators). Constructs, assembles, installs, modifies, repairs, calibrates, and sets up experimental or other equipment used in the conduct of research assignments. Tabulates and summarizes data using computers and up to date 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. Time-in-grade restrictions apply for all candidates considered under merit promotion procedures and must be met by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this vacancy announcement. GS-08 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-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 an experiment or research project related to soil or plant management; recording or analyzing scientific data related to plants or soil; and performing routine scientific techniques using a variety of specialized lab equipment; operating and maintaining farm equipment used for planting and fertilizing crops; and maintaining basic soil and plant measurement equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of graduate level education leading to a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Agronomy, Soil Science, Soil Microbiology, Biology, Plant Genetics, Crop Science, or Agriculture. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as describe above. GS-09 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-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 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 planning, managing, or conducting an experiment or research project related to soil or plant management; collecting or evaluating samples related to plants or soil; recording, collecting, and summarizing scientific data; operating and maintaining farm equipment used for planting and fertilizing crops; and maintaining basic soil and plant measurement equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Agronomy, Soil Science, Soil Microbiology, Biology, Plant Genetics, Crop Science, or Agriculture. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as describe above. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals or working outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves. 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]