This position is located in the USDA, ARS, Field Organization, Pacific West Area, Crop Diseases, Pest and Genetics Research Unit, in Parlier, CA. In this position, you will conduct basic and applied research on Vitis breeding, plant pathogen interaction, fruit quality evaluations, and conduct trials for raisin and table grapes.

Duties

Organize and process the benchwork for molecular biology projects involving grape plant tissue. Maintain inventories of samples, chemicals, media, and supplies. Maintain records, summarize data, perform statistical analyses, and prepare data for oral and written presentations. Provide support and direct DNA extractions, PCR and work with the fragment analyzer machine. Maintain lab equipment’s scheduling service technician visits to keep instruments performing at their optimum, purchasing supplies and maintaining transaction and account records in coordination with the supervisor.

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 Required.
• Safety/Radiological Safety Collateral Duties.

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: Basic Requirements A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, you must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements: GS-09 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-09 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 coordinating and providing support for a plant research program; preparing, processing, and analyzing plant samples; and maintaining laboratory supplies and supporting laboratory budget. OR Education: Successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include plant pathology, cellular biology, plant genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, plant science or biochemistry. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-11 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-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 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 managing or leading a grape plant research program; evaluating grape plant pathogens or genetic markers; and supporting the research leader on publication development, proposals, and scientific manuscript or technical reports. OR Education: Successful completion of three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or Ph.D. equivalent doctoral degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include plant pathology, cellular biology, plant genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, plant science or biochemistry. OR A combination of 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 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Chirag Patel
• Phone: 5716693542
• Email: [email protected]