This position is located within the Crop Bio-Protection Research Unit for USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Peoria, IL. In this position, you will perform research experiments to support the development of biological control organisms used to combat tar spot disease of corn. This is a temporary, time-limited appointment with an initial duration not to exceed one year or less. This is a part-time position, approximately 20 hours per week.

Duties

Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Maintains inventory of chemicals. Makes growth media for bacteria and fungi. Performs DNA extractions and runs gel electrophoresis. Records instrument readings, collects samples, and takes measurements. Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.

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 trial 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-04 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-04 includes 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-03 level, which is directly related to the work of this position and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is performing a variety of routine duties in one or more phases of a research project; and keeping detailed records of experimental data. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. Related courses may include biology, plant science, molecular biology, or environmental sciences. OR A combination of experience and education 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. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, or bending. 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 or working outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]