This position is located within the Imported Fire Ants & Household Insects Research Unit for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Gainsville, FL. In this position, you will be responsible for conducting biological research in laboratory and field environments using ants and microbes, recording and analyzing scientific data, and preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports.

Duties

Maintains inventory of molecular reagents, culture media, chemicals, stock solutions, etc. Performs DNA extractions from insects, soil, microorganisms and PCR reactions. Cultures, isolates and characterizes microbes from insects, soil, or any other type of biological sample. Assures that the laboratory is adhering to safety and biosafety policies. Prepares reports summarizing progress or results of research and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts. Keeps detailed records of experimental data and analyzes scientific data using bioinformatic software packages. Maintains fire ant colonies and handles ants during experiments and field collections. Maintains, calibrates, and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation of biological procedures.

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-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 collecting or analyzing biological samples (i.e., soil, plants, or water); statistically analyzing and summarizing data; and operating laboratory equipment used for molecular biology or microbiological procedures. 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 Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or Biology. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08 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 one or more phases of an insect, microbiological or molecular biology research process; collecting and analyzing insect, microorganism, or other biological samples; operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment; and preparing scientific data to be included in manuscripts or reports. OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or Biology. OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. 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-08 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 setting up and conducting an experiment or research project related to entomology or microbiology; collecting, preparing, and evaluating biological samples for sequencing and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts. OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or Biology. 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. 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, 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 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]