Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Summary

This position is located at USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Pacific West Area, Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Tropical Plant Genetic Resources & Disease Unit, in Hilo, HI. This position serves as a senior technician supporting the unit's curatorial and research team in collecting, preserving, characterizing, documenting, and distributing subtropical and tropical fruit, nut, and beverage crops.

Duties

• •Keeps detailed records of plant accession, cultivation, and experimental data.
• •Researches new products and procedures to assist in making the curatorial or characterization procedures more effective or efficient.
• •Searches for literature pertinent to plant cultivation requirements, seed or propagation techniques, pest and disease identification or control, new molecular research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• •Develops and refines techniques to improve germplasm cultivation, including monitoring and managing pests and diseases, and enhances methods for phenotypic and genetic characterization of the collections.
• •Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment such as autoclaves, pH meters, spectrophotometers, total soluble sugar monitors, thermocyclers, mowers, sprayers etc.
• •Prepares and applies spray or reagent solutions, such as, but not limited to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, 10/28/2026, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. GS-06: 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 participating in a research project related to plant or plant crops (such as sub-tropical or tropical fruit and nuts); assisting with recording or scientific or descriptor data; and working with research equipment in a laboratory, greenhouse or field environment. OR Education: One (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-07: 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 conservation, propagation, cultivation, evaluation, or research related to plant or plant crops (such as subtropical or tropical fruit and nuts); collecting or analyzing biological samples; and maintaining or cleaning basic greenhouse or laboratory equipment. OR Education: One (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08: 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 one or more phases of a research project related to plants, water, or soil; collecting crop or plant samples; and operating specialized greenhouse or laboratory equipment. OR Education: Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.