This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Water Management and Systems Research Unit in Akron, Colorado. In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the research process related to soil and plant samples in a laboratory or field environment.

Duties

Perform routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Collect and prepare data related to agricultural soil, and biological, chemical, and physical properties. Keep detailed records of experimental data. Adapt, modify, or develop new techniques or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project. Maintain, calibrate, and modify complex equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.

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/
• Motor Vehicle License Required.

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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience includes experience assisting in one or more phases of a research project by collecting or analyzing soil or plant samples in a field and laboratory setting; entering and managing data using computers and software packages; and operating laboratory or field 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 scientific or technical 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 being filled. Related courses may include Soil Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture, or Geology. OR A combination of education and specialized 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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience includes experience participating in a research project related to soil by collecting or analyzing soil samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; entering and managing data using computers and software packages; and performing routine and recurring techniques using soil sampling, planting, harvesting or plant processing field 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 Soil Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture, or Geology. OR A combination of education and specialized 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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience includes experience participating in a research project related to soil including collecting and analyzing soil samples; summarizing data using computers and software packages; performing routine and recurring techniques using specialized equipment or instruments including soil sampling, planting, harvesting, and soil and plant processing field equipment to accomplish research goals; and operating specialized laboratory equipment or instruments used in a research process associated with soil analysis parameters. 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 Soil Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture, or Geology. OR A combination of education and specialized 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: Kayleigh Pfeiffer
• Phone: 703-995-9645
• Email: [email protected]