This position is located within the Pest Management Research Unit of the Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab for USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Sidney, MT. In this position, you will perform a variety of technical duties in one or more phases of a research project related to the sustainable management of insect pests in agroecosystems with a focus on entomology, insect ecology and conservation biological control.

Duties

Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records related to research on agroecology, entomology and biological control. Maintains detailed records of experimental data and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Adapts, modifies or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project. Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Assists in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment, common to the assigned area of work. Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages. Oversees work assignments of part-time or seasonal employees, as assigned, and works collegially with other research team members.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade. GS-6 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 assisting in a research project related to plants, insects, ecology or agroecosystems; operating or maintaining laboratory and field equipment; and keeping records of scientific information. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Entomology, Ecology, Biology, Environmental or Agricultural Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above .GS-7 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 plants, insects, ecology or agroecosystems; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and operating or maintaining laboratory and field equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Entomology, Ecology, Biology, Environmental or Agricultural Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-8 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 a research project related to plants, insects, ecology or agroecosystems; collecting or evaluating plant or insect samples; operating or maintaining laboratory or field equipment; and compiling scientific information for report preparation. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Entomology, Ecology, Biology, Environmental or Agricultural Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized 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 requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Tamicka Johnson
• Phone: (703) 259-9323
• Email: [email protected]