This position serves as the Biological Sciences Technician at a Plant Materials Center (PMC) and can be used by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Plant Materials Centers nationwide. The Plant Materials Center develops plant science technology to assist NRCS field offices in conservation of natural resources and farm bill programs.

Duties

Establishes and maintains seed and plant production fields. Responsible for establishing and maintaining research plots. Irrigates, fertilizes, and applies pesticides according to the study plan. Assists with monitoring plantings, harvesting plots, collecting data, and data entry. Responsible for fertilizer, chemical and pesticide application, labels, storage, and reporting as required by responsible regulatory agencies. Responsible for proper operation, maintenance, and repair of various farm agricultural equipment. Assists with Plant Materials Center (PMC) planning and management and participates in technology transfer activities.

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. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• 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/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.

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. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-5 level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of this experience may include: Preparing, establishing, and maintaining fields necessary for growing various types of crops; Irrigating, fertilizing and apply pesticides; Monitoring plantings, harvesting plots, collecting data; Establish and maintain seed and plant production fields; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to field of biological sciences; OR Combination of education and experience:Possess a combination education and experience as described above may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-6 level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of this experience may include: Performing tasks such as weed management and irrigation; Seed production, processing, and handling to ensure quality control; Performing routine and reoccurring research techniques or procedures; Operating and maintaining equipment for vegetation monitoring and data collection and collecting, preparing, and evaluating plant samples; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Completion of one (1) year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours) if directly related to the position; OR Combination of education and experience: Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-7 level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of this experience may include: irrigate, fertilize, and apply pesticides; establish, monitor, and maintain seed and plant production fields and inventory; monitor planting for pest or other problems and address issues; operation, maintenance, and repair of various types of farm agricultural equipment; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Completion of one year of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree, if directly related to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Biological Science Technician Series 0404 (opm.gov) 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

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement.

Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.

Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Olu Gbolade
• Phone: 919-875-4823
• Email: [email protected]