What are the responsibilities and job description for the BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN position at Agricultural Research Service?
Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Range Management Research Unit in Las Cruces, NM. In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment. Responsibilities Works with a multi-disciplinary team to implement wind erosion experiments. Installs instruments and maintains sediment collection devices, meteorological sensors, and associated solar panels and wiring. Processes soil and dust samples, weighs and dries soil and vegetation samples, splits soils, and prepares samples for laboratory analyses. Participates in project planning. Conducts literature review pertinent to wind erosion and ecosystem experiments for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field. 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-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 assisting in a research project; operating or maintaining specialized equipment; and collecting or evaluating samples. 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 : Environmental Science, Biology, Range Science, Soil Science, Plant Science or Geology. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. Physical Demands : The work requires physical exertion, such as regular and recurring hiking over rough, hilly terrain and bending while carrying sampling equipment. In many situations, the duration of the activity (e.g., most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity in other situations, such as exceptional hand and eye coordination. Work Environment : The work is primarily performed outdoors in remote locations. Work may occur in the hot and dry outdoor conditions in desert environments requiring regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., hot (105 F), cold (30 F) and windy conditions, extensive travel over rough roads, hiking in inclement weather carrying equipment, food, and water. The employee must wear protective clothing such as laboratory gowns, coats, boots, goggles, hats, and gloves. 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. 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.
