This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Northeast Area (NEA), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Genetic Improvement of Fruits & Vegetable Laboratory located in Chatsworth, NJ. In this position, you will perform a variety of technical duties in the laboratory, field, and greenhouse environments related to cranberry/blueberry breeding and genetics.

Duties

Adapts, modifies, or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of plant breeding and genetics research projects. Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, and greenhouse environment. Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies plant samples and supporting records. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Independently initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results or recommends resolution to supervisor. As directed, searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Measures plant traits in the field or greenhouse or post-harvest using manual or digital tools. Identifies genes or genome sequences involved in traits related to productivity, quality, disease resistance, or abiotic stress tolerance. Determines genetic diversity or purity in samples of plants.

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-05 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-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 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 assisting in a research project in a laboratory, greenhouse, or field environment; collecting and preparing samples; and operating and maintaining basic research equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related. Related courses include Biology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, Genetics, Genomics, or Agronomy. OR An appropriate combination of education and experience as described above. 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 assisting in genetics or plant science research studies in a laboratory, greenhouse, or field environment; operating or maintaining complex research equipment; and compiling research results and data. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related. Related degrees may include Biology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, Genetics, Genomics, or Agronomy. OR An appropriate 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 calibrating specialized research equipment or automated systems; analyzing research data for reports; and developing new techniques and to satisfy the needs of the research project. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related. Related degrees may include Biology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, Genetics, Genomics, or Agronomy. OR An appropriate 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Jared Foret
• Phone: 7032599390
• Email: [email protected]