This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement and Protection, Appalachian Fruit Research Station (AFRS), in Kearneysville, WV, In this position, you will assist in the propagation and cultivation of a wide variety of plants and perform a wide range of farming and gardening work, to support the AFRS land management of approximately 500 acres of orchards, hayfields, and non-croplands.

Duties

Provides support to Appalachian Fruit Research Station land management of approximately 500 acres of orchards, hayfields, and non-cropland. Performs a wide range of farming or gardening work including growing and tending orchards, hayfields, and non-croplands such as wood lots, fence rows, and ornamental plantings Applies fertilizer required to optimize plant growth based on Farm Crew supervisor direction. Brings observations of plant diseases and damaging insect activity to the attention of the supervisor or higher-graded employees. Performs limited driveway, roadway, and sidewalk maintenance work. Performs basic operator maintenance on a variety of general farm equipment, tractors, and motor vehicles to check fluid levels and tire pressure. Prunes and trims fruit trees and small fruit plantings using appropriate pruning shears, saws, and other tools. Assists higher-graded employees in preparing and maintaining research plots for the planting, production, and evaluation of trees and other plantings according to standard horticultural practices. Operates a variety of hand and power-operated farm tools and implements such as rototillers, hoes, rakes, as needed. Operates a field type tractor having four wheels and up to eight forward gears, steered with a conventional steering wheel.

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 at the time of employment.
• Special Physical Requirements/Demands at the time of employment.
• Must possess or be able to acquire a valid West Virginia Certified Pesticide Public Applicators Permit within six months of employment.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 06/11/2024. Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a Farmerwithout more than normal supervision (Screen Out)). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. Physical Effort The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts or wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. Often climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation. In addition, the work requires frequent arm and leg movements to operate tractor, motor vehicle, and/or equipment controls and moderate physical effort in making couplings between the tractor/motor vehicle and towed trailer or tillage equipment using safety chains, tow bars, and hooks, and/or mechanical and hydraulic connections. Heavy physical effort is required to lift and move objects, e.g., bags of fertilizer, tractor attachments, and pesticide containers. Laboring aspects of the work involve heavy physical effort in lifting and moving objects weighing over 80 lbs. with ease. Working Conditions Work is usually performed outside. The operator is constantly exposed to unpleasant noise levels and vibration, and severe jolting from the tractor and towed vehicles. Outside work often exposes the employee to long periods of hot sun, cold temperatures during pruning, and, occasionally, bad weather. When using or storing pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, there is some risk of exposure through skin absorption or inhalation; therefore, protective clothing and respirators are required to be worn. There is also some risk of minor injuries, bruises, cuts, and scratches when performing farming work or minor equipment repairs and operator maintenance. The employee must follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment to avoid injury and possible hazards in the work area. 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]