Engineering 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.

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 assisting with assembling or installing sensors and dataloggers; operating laboratory or field equipment to collect data; utilizing software to document or gather data; and preparing drawings, charts, or reports to summarize data.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Physics, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Systems Management, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Agronomy, or Plant Science.
OR
A combination of graduate-level education and specialized 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 assisting with assembling or installing electronic systems; operating laboratory or field equipment to collect data; and utilizing software to document or gather data.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Physics, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Systems Management, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Agronomy, or Plant Science.
OR
A combination of graduate-level 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 constructing, assembling, or installing new scientific equipment; evaluating and modifying field equipment such as data loggers, microprocessors, cameras, GPS, and drones; participating in a research project related to agriculture; and preparing drawings, charts, or reports to summarize data.
OR
Education: Two full years of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Physics, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Systems Management, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Agronomy, or Plant Science.
OR
A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-09
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 experience designing a scientific experiment or research project; constructing, assembling, or installing new equipment; troubleshooting equipment such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, multispectral cameras, GPS, and drones; analyzing data using machine learning algorithms; utilizing software programs to document data; and preparing drawings, charts, or reports to summarize data.
OR
Education: Two full years of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. Related degrees may include Physics, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Systems Management, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Agronomy, or Plant Science.
OR
A combination of graduate-level education and specialized 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.

• 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.
• This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).