Biological Science Technician

Summary

This position is located within the Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research Unit for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Pullman, WA. In this position, you will assist research leaders and scientists by performing a variety of technical duties in one or more phases of a research project.

Duties

• •Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records.
• •Prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• •Propagates and harvests plants.
• •Tracks plant samples through plant growth and analysis steps.
• •Adapts, modifies or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
• •Performs genetic analysis including DNA or RNA extraction, PCR or marker analysis, or following inheritance of traits.
• •Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.

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 collecting, preparing, or evaluating plant samples and supporting records; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Genetics, Biology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Plant Pathology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Cereal Chemistry. 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 participating in a research project related to plants, genetics, or molecular biology; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: 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 Genetics, Biology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Plant Pathology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Cereal Chemistry. OR A combination of education and 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 setting up and conducting an experiment or research project related to plants or molecular biology; collecting, preparing, and evaluating plant samples for traits or molecular markers and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts. OR Education: 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 Genetics, Biology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Plant Pathology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Cereal Chemistry. OR A combination of 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. 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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.