This position is within the Agricultural Research Service, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit located in Dubois, ID In this position you will perform a variety of routine, standardized tests; procedures, routines, or operations in support of research projects, animal husbandry, and cropland/rangeland care. The majority of duties occur in the outdoor environment.

Duties

Monitors the health of animals (sheep, cattle, horses, and dogs). Assists with delivering diets to horses and dogs. Assists in one or more phases of the research or operational processes by performing a variety of standardized or routine duties in, rangeland, and feedlot environments. Keeps detailed records of experimental data as it relates to animal feeding, health, and performance; pasture management and utilization; and invasive weed location and treatment. Records instrument readings, collects samples, and takes measurements. Maintains inventory of all animal feeds, supplements, and additives; plant materials (seeds), fertilizers, and herbicides; and any chemicals relevant to the assigned work equipment/area.

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
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License required within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Pesticide Applicators License required within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to operate large equipment such as tractors and attachments, feed mixers, and loaders.

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-4 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 the GS-4 position includes 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience 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, general experience is defined as (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience is experience performing a full range of routine and recurring techniques using a variety of general and specialized feed transport, processing, storage and delivery equipment; pasture tillage, seeding, irrigation, and management equipment; and mixing and delivering diets to animals (ruminants) in a feedlot and rangeland environment. OR Education: Two years of study above the high school level that included at least 12 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 to the position to be filled. Related courses include animal sciences, livestock feeding and nutrition, livestock/farm animal management, animal/livestock production, or meat sciences. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. 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 the GS-5 position includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-4 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 maintaining inventory of all animal feeds, supplements, and additives; maintaining, calibrating or modifying equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures and collecting samples, maintaining records, compiling data and other information from various sources. OR Education: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 may include animal sciences, livestock feeding and nutrition, livestock/farm animal management, animal/livestock production, or meat sciences. OR A 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 participating in an agricultural animal research study involving sheep; collecting and evaluating animal or biological samples; recording and analyzing research results and data; and operating farm equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include animal sciences, livestock feeding and nutrition, livestock/farm animal management, animal/livestock production, or meat sciences. OR A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above. Physical Demands:The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending, lifting heavy items (in excess of 50 lbs.), restraining animals, installing gates and fences, and climbing grain-bin ladders, fences and feed bunks. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, such as in a laboratory, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals, working outdoors in extreme weather conditions in remote locations, or around large machinery with exposed moving parts. Majority of time will be spent working in animal facilities, barns or outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, helmets, goggles, and/or gloves. 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 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Nelly Wilson
• Phone: (703) 259-9360
• Email: [email protected]