This position is located with USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area (PWA), National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, OR and will be the Curator of the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) collection of temperate tree fruit and nut species.

Duties

Acquiring and conserving temperate tree fruit and nut genetic resources and associated information. Characterizing and evaluating selected germplasm, using morphological and molecular markers. Assessing how and whether selected wild temperate tree fruit and nut genetic resources are most effectively conserved. Test genetic resources for pathogens; perform pathogen elimination procedures. Preserves and propagates genetically identified, vigorous, disease-negative plants of temperate fruit, nut, and specialty crop active collections.

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. Basic Requirements: GS-0437 Degree: horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops. OR Combination of education and experience:courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GS-0440 Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. As well as meeting the Basic Requirements of one of the series above, you must also meet the Minimum Qualification requirement below. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Experience:The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent collecting, propagating, and curating tree and nut specialty crops such as pears, hazelnuts, mint, hops, or their wild relatives, according to established national or international standards and regulations; experience in grafting, tissue culture, and pathogen cleanup of germplasm; documenting plant genetic characteristics; and developing technical guidance on the production of high quality, well-characterized germplasm for tree, nut, and specialty crop plants. 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 workday) 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. 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: Melissa Smith
• Phone: 510-559-6312
• Email: [email protected]