This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area (PWA), Pacific Shellfish Research Unit located in Newport, OR. In this position, you will conduct research to develop and improve shellfish aquaculture systems, support SY in progeny evaluations in laboratory and field experiments and provide logistical, planning and technical supervision for production/evaluation of shellfish families.

Duties

Participates in and conducts research and development of shellfish aquaculture systems to improve survival and efficiency in commercial shellfish aquaculture. Provides support and assistance in developing seawater life support systems for shellfish aquaculture. Participates in the preparation of data for scientific and technical reports and manuscripts. Actively engages aquaculture stakeholders on research progress through organized meetings and conferences, informal meetings, cooperative field experiments and written reports. Maintains broodstock repository in Yaquina Bay and remote sites. Develop methods and protocols for long term broodstock preservation (i.e. cryopreservation of fertilized eggs). Ensures necessary equipment is available at field/lab sites, prepares schedules and assigns responsibilities for deployment and data collection of shellfish research and breeding program cohorts. Maintains purchasing logs in CATS system, manages purchasing credit card for the PSRU breeding program and oversees purchasing for the laboratory.

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 is required.
• Boating license is preferred.
• Experience with shellfish is desired, but not required.
• Experience with algae culture is desired, but not required.
• Aquatic animal husbandry experience is 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. Basic Requirements Degree: major in biological science that included: At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.) OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to the basic education requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements 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-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 a biological research project related to shellfish or finfish; keeping records of experimental research data; and operating laboratory instruments or equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-11 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-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 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 coordinating operations for a hatchery facility; conducting genomic or breeding research on shellfish using live animal experiments; preparing research data for scientific and technical reports or manuscripts; and operating laboratory instruments and aquaculture systems equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR A combination of specialized experience and education 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: Work involves tasks and visits throughout the federal facilities and requires physical exertion (walking, standing, bending, inspecting and adjusting technical devices) and using appropriate equipment. Travel is required especially by motor vehicle. Long periods are spent outdoors to evaluate germplasm, possible under inclement conditions. Long periods of car travel are needed to reach field sites for germplasm evaluation or to present research updates and reports. Work Environment: Work is in an office or hatchery facility setting, and field environments. Repair work may occur in a harsh outside environment under hot or cold temperatures. The incumbent must take special safety precautions including wearing special protective items such as safety glasses or goggles, respirator, gloves, steel toe shoes, hardhat, etc.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Jared Foret
• Phone: 7032599390
• Email: [email protected]