What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agricultural Science Research Technician position at Agricultural Research Service?
Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Agricultural Systems Research Unit in Sidney, MT. In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the soil research process by performing a variety of technical duties in a field or laboratory environment. Responsibilities Collect and prepare soil samples in a field environment to evaluate soil bulk density, moisture content, and aggregate stability. Maintain, calibrate, and modify specialized equipment and automated systems used to evaluate, record and transmit experimental results. Tabulate and summarize data using software packages. Search literature for procedures or techniques to evaluate soil physical properties in laboratory, field, or greenhouse studies. 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-06 : 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-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 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 evaluating soil samples; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing analytical techniques in a laboratory or field environment. OR Education : Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. 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 performing soil sampling in a field environment; operating field or lab systems for evaluating soil; and analyzing data using software packages. OR Education : Successful completion of one full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science. OR A combination of graduate level 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 calibrating or maintaining field or laboratory systems for evaluating soil physical properties; assisting with the planning of experiments involving soil; and analyzing and summarizing data for scientific reports. 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 Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science. 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. 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.
