Biological Science Technician Jobs

Duties

Summary

This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA), Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit (CPGRU) in Davis, CA and will provide technical support to the Research Scientist in all phases of the research process.

Requirements

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: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of the position. GS-07 Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-07 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, following standard research procedures for sterile handling of plants and microbial cultures; propagating plants in the greenhouse; maintaining collections of plants for greenhouse experiments; maintaining collections of fungal cultures for inoculations in the greenhouse and field. OR Education: One full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Plant Pathology, Mycology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology. OR A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above. GS-08 Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-08 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, performing research related to DNA/RNA of plants or plant-associated microbes; following standard research procedures for sterile handling of plants and microbial cultures; propagating plants in the greenhouse; maintaining collections of plants for greenhouse experiments; maintaining collections of fungal cultures for inoculations in the greenhouse and field. OR Education: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Plant Pathology, Mycology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology. OR A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above. GS-09 Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-08 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, performing experiments to support a plant pathology project in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment; performing research related to DNA/RNA of plants or plant-associated microbes; following standard research procedures for sterile handling of plants and microbial cultures; propagating plants in the greenhouse; maintaining collections of plants for greenhouse experiments; maintaining collections of fungal cultures for inoculations in the greenhouse and field. OR Education: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Plant Pathology, Mycology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology. OR A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring running, walking, or bending; walking or climbing over rocky areas, through plowed fields or other uneven surfaces, through dense vegetation; climbing ladders to maintain facilities and equipment; and, the ability to carry or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts or machines; working outdoors with exposure to adverse weather conditions, working in the greenhouse, and working with chemicals and pesticides. Incumbent is required to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, Tyvek coveralls, ear plugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk.
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.

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