Biological Science Technician

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Cropping Systems and Water Quality in Columbia, MO.

In this position, you will be responsible for serving as part of a research team conducting plant or soil research in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field environment.

This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 4 years.

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 or soil; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
OR
Education: Completion of one full year of graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include soil science, agronomy, biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, agriculture, plant science, molecular biology, biochemistry, or horticulture.
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 experience collecting and evaluating plant or soil samples; operating and maintaining specialized laboratory or field equipment used for test and evaluation procedures; and adapting, modifying, or developing new techniques or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
OR
Education: Completion of two full years of graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include soil science, agronomy, biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, agriculture, plant science, molecular biology, biochemistry, or horticulture.
OR
A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above.

Physical Demands
The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination.

Work Environment
The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals or working outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, 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.