This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Research Unit in Wooster, OH. In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the research process related to plants and insects by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.

Duties

Enters and organizes scientific data in computer software such as Excel. Resolves and corrects technical difficulties when using laboratory equipment. Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, growth chamber or greenhouse. Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Rears insects for use in experiments and research including preparing plants and insect environment. Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques. Initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results or recommends resolution to 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/

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-8 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 participating in a research project related to plants and insects; preparing reports on research results and data; and rearing insects and growing plants for use in experiments. OR Education: Successful completion of two full 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, Horticulture, Botany, or Entomology. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. GS-9 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 participating in one or more phases of a research process related to plant and insects; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and rearing a variety of insects and growing plants for use in experiments. OR Education: Successful completion of two full 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, Horticulture, Botany, or Entomology. OR A combination of graduate level education and 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Frances Ozyurt
• Phone: 703-259-9383
• Email: [email protected]