Agricultural Science Research Technician - Agricultural Research Service

Summary This position is located within the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, in the Agroecosystems Management Research Unit for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Ames, IA. In this position, you will participate in research to develop practices and technology that increases the efficiency and resilience of agricultural systems and decreases environmental impacts of production at the field, farm, and watershed scales. Responsibilities Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies soil samples and supporting records. 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. Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Harvests plant materials that can be analyzed to produce publishable data. Prepares soil, plant, or water samples for analysis. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 participating in a research project related to soil; preparing reports based on research data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: One full year of graduate education leading to a master's degree with courses related to the occupation, if related. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Geology, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or Botany. OR A combination of education and 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 maintaining a field plot; collecting data on harvest yields; and performing the full range of experimental techniques and studies using a variety of 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. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Geology, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or Botany. OR A combination of 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.