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Physical Science Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
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Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Natural Product Utilization Research Unit located in Oxford, Mississippi.

In this position, you will be conducting an experiment or research project related to plants; recording and analyzing scientific data; collecting or evaluating plant samples; operating and maintaining scientific equipment; and maintaining scientific records or data.

Overview

  • Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
  •  03/10/2023 to 03/24/2023
Salary
  • $46,696 - $74,250 per year
Pay scale & grade
  • GS 7 - 9

Duties

  • Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies fungi, bacteria, or plant samples and supporting records.
  • Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
  • Actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory environment, common to plant research.
  • Contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.
  • Searches for literature pertinent to plant research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory.
  • Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources related plant research.
  • Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
  • Independently initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results or recommends resolution to supervisor.
  • Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • 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-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 plants; maintaining scientific records; and operating or maintaining scientific equipment.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one full year of study leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree. Related degrees may include Chemistry or Microbiology.
OR
A combination of graduate education and specialized 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 conducting an experiment or research project related to plants; recording and analyzing scientific data; collecting or evaluating plant samples; operating and maintaining scientific equipment; and maintaining scientific records or data.
OR
Education: Successful completion of two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Chemistry or Microbiology.
OR
A combination of graduate 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 conducting an experiment or research project related to plants, fungi or bacteria; collecting or evaluating plant, fungi, or bacteria samples; operating and maintaining scientific equipment; and recording and analyzing scientific data for inclusion in scientific manuscripts or technical reports.
OR
Education: Successful completion of two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position Related degrees may include Chemistry or Microbiology.
OR
A combination of graduate 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.