Biological Science Technician

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.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
GS-05
Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-05 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-04 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, assisting in experiments to support a plant breeding project; and operating common laboratory equipment.
OR
Education: Successful completion of a four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree in the Biological Sciences with at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. Related courses may include Botany, Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Bioinformatics or Computational Biol
OR
A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above.

GS-06
Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-06 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent, participating in experiments to support a plant breeding project; propagating/maintaining collections of plants for research; operating agricultural equipment and managing field preparation and maintenance activities.
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 Botany, Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Bioinformatics or Computational Biology.
OR
A qualifying combination of graduate education and experience as described above.


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, conducting a research project related to plant genetics, breeding, or microbiology; preparing reports based on research data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
OR
Education: 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 Botany, Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Bioinformatics or Computational Biol
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.