PDF versionJob Summary
This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Genetic Resources Unit, in Geneva, NY. The incumbent will provide support to the unit focusing on characterization and documentation of crop traits under greenhouse, field, and laboratory conditions.
Major Duties
- Search literature for information relevant to research methodologies, procedures and techniques.
- Biological and physical sciences including molecular biology and genetics to independently perform recurring tests and analyses, evaluate methodologies, and make minor modifications of procedures and protocols related to the assigned duties.
- Record and calculate results, tabulates data, and performs elementary statistical calculations of means, standard deviations, standard errors, and coefficient of variations.
- Knowledge of the theories and principles of statistics to choose appropriate statistical analyses and interpret data.
- Select appropriate methods and procedures or devises and recommends alternative methods of standardized analysis to solve problems.
- Maintain equipment and instrumentation in top working condition, performing routine preventative maintenance and minor repairs, and promptly reporting signs of malfunction or need for major repairs.
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. Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND 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: At The 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 assisting in molecular biological experiments related to genetics; maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation; and recording experimental data. OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Successful completion of 1 year of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field directly related to the duties of the position. Related degrees may include: plant pathology, molecular biology, microbiology, plant biology, or other related biological sciences. OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): (1) A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; OR (2) A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; OR (3) Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR (4)Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A qualifying combination of graduate level education and experience. At The GS-09:
Qualifying experience for GS-09 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 assisting in molecular biological experiments related to genetics; maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation; recording experimental data; and using experimental data to prepare scientific reports. OR EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include: plant pathology, molecular biology, microbiology, plant biology, or other related biological sciences. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A qualifying combination of graduate level education and experience. Note: only graduate-level education in excess of one full year is qualifying for combining education and experience. At The GS-11:
Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 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 performing molecular biological experiments related to genetics; maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation; recording experimental data; using experimental data to prepare scientific reports; and modifying experiments; OR EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include: plant pathology, molecular biology, microbiology, plant biology, or other related biological sciences. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A qualifying combination of Ph.D level education and experience. Note: only graduate-level education in excess of one full year is qualifying for combining education and experience. 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.
Pay Range
$42,053.00 - $80,912.00