This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA) at the Honey Bee Research Unit in Tucson, AZ. In this position, you will assist in conducting research to optimize on the honey bee microbiome in health and disease, with an aim to optimize colony health and maximize production of honey bee pollinated crops.

Duties

Assists with honeybee colony management and experiments in field, cage, or in-vitro laboratory settings, including sample collection and dissection. Works with specialized laboratory equipment and methods for microbiology: microscopy, spectrophotometry, incubators, biological cabinets, autoclaves, anaerobic chambers, and centrifuges, etc. Collects, and maintains detailed records of experimental data, sample collections, and analytical results. Utilizes basic principles of statistical analysis (e.g., variation, sample size, biological vs. technological replicates, etc.) to interpret and summarize analytical results. Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages (e.g., MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, NCBI Blast, BioEdit, Mothur, JMP, R, SAS). Performs full range of molecular and microbiology laboratory techniques to identify, monitor, maintain and experimentally manipulate pathogenic and beneficial microbes of importance to honey bee health.

Requirements

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Must be in good academic standing and hold a GPA of at least 2.0.
• Complete at least 640 hrs of work experience prior to completion of degree.
• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution.
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of two-year trial period.
• 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/
• U.S. citizens and nationals and permanent residents and foreign nationals must meet immigration law and appropriations law requirements concerning employment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen prior to non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position.
• Training Activities - Career Intern, Student Career Experience Program.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required.
• Special Physical Requirements/Demands.

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. PATHWAYS ELIGIBILITY All applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student on at least a half-time schedule at a qualifying educational institution in a certificate, degree, or diploma program. EDUCATION: Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree. Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.): Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) Class Standing - applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average - applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Honor Society - membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. Applicants will be assessed/evaluated through application of the agency developed qualification standard for internship positions, which is based solely on level of education.

Education

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education visit NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Juliana Hensley
• Phone: (571) 669-3483
• Email: [email protected]