This position is located within the Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit for USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Salinas, CA. In this position, you will assist higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties. This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 4 years.

Duties

Assists in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of standardized or routine duties. Services and cleans spore traps and collecting samples from spore traps. Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Records instrument readings, collects samples, and takes measurements. Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Tabulates 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/
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's 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-04 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-04 includes 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience comparable to GS-03 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 performing a variety of routine duties in one or more phases of a research project; and keeping detailed records of experimental data. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years of study above high school that included at least 12 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 be directly related to the position to be filled. Related courses may include microbiology, plant pathology, and plant physiology. 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. 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, such as in a laboratory, 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 irritant chemicals or working outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]