This position is located within the Pest Management Research Unit of the Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab for USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Sidney, MT. In this position, you will perform a variety of technical duties in one or more phases of a research project related to the sustainable management of insect pests in agroecosystems with a focus on entomology, insect ecology and conservation biological control.

Duties

Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records related to research on agroecology, entomology and biological control. Participates in one or more phases of the research process by planning and performing a variety of technical duties in the field, greenhouse, and laboratory. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Possesses knowledge or has experience with insect identification. Searches for literature pertinent to the area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in field, greenhouse and laboratory studies. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages. Oversees work assignments of part-time or seasonal employees, as assigned, and works collegially with other research team members.

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-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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to insects; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related courses may include entomology, ecology, biology, and agricultural science. OR A combination of graduate level 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.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Chirag Patel
• Phone: 5716693542
• Email: [email protected]