This position is located within the Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research Unit of the Center for Agricultural Resources Research for USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this position, you will participate in applied research that cryopreserves vegetatively propagated genetic resources to secure future food supplies and develop new high value cultivars for American agriculture.

Duties

Assists in the development and customization of procedures or techniques specific to research on clonal plant cryopreservation. Performs micro-propagation of dicot- and monocotyledonous plant species and evaluates physiological stages of in vitro plants. Conducts plant viability tests using various techniques such as micro-grafting, chip grafting and histological evaluation of plant tissue. Recommends improvements to plant micro-propagation techniques and cryopreservation procedures based on conclusions. Keeps exact and detailed records of data obtained from experiments and proficiently summarizes and analyzes findings to improve laboratory work flow. Uses and calibrates a variety of specialized equipment including growth and desiccation chambers, microscopes, liquid nitrogen tanks, and programmable sub-zero coolers.

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-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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience collecting, evaluating, or micro-propagating biological samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment. OR Education: One full year of graduate education leading to a master's degree with courses related to the occupation, if related. Related degrees may include Biology, Horticulture, Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Agricultural Science. OR A combination of education and 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to plant cryopreservation; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: One full year of graduate education leading to a master's degree with courses related to the occupation, if related. Related degrees may include Biology, Horticulture, Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Agricultural Science. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. 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 one or more phases of a plant cryopreservation research process; collecting and analyzing plant samples; and operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Biology, Horticulture, Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Agricultural Science. 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, 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]