This position is located within the Dale Bumpers Small Farm Research Unit, for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Booneville, AR. In this position, you will assist scientists and research leaders in various phases of the research process to help small farms become more profitable and sustainable. This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 10 years.

Duties

Actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment. Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. 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. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.

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-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 a plant research process; collecting and analyzing plant or biological samples; and operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment. OR Education: Two full years 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 Agronomy, Crop Science, Weed Science, Agricultural Science, Plant Pathology, or Biology. OR A combination of graduate level 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 plants, agronomy, or crop science; collecting, preparing, and evaluating samples for sequencing and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts. OR Education: Two full years 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 Agronomy, Crop Science, Weed Science, Agricultural Science, Plant Pathology, or Biology. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Robert Green
• Phone: (703) 259-9392
• Email: [email protected]