Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area (PWA), Commodity Protection and Quality located in Parlier, CA. In this position, you will work with scientists to reduce postharvest losses caused by physiological disorders, pathogens, and insect pests. Responsibilities Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological). Participates as a team member with the scientist in all phases of the research process and assumes full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research. Independently develops or designs various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor. Contributes to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings. Selects appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 and evaluating samples and supporting records; keeping detailed records of experimental data; and participating in a research project in a laboratory setting. 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 chemistry, plant science, agricultural science, biology, and physics. 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 assisting in one or more phases of a research project; preparing an inventory of chemical samples; and performing the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment in a laboratory setting. 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 chemistry, plant science, agricultural science, biology, and physics. 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 participating in a research project related to chemistry or chemical treatments and their associated residues; interpreting and documenting experimental findings; tabulating or statistically analyzing data; and recording and analyzing scientific data for inclusion in scientific manuscripts or technical reports. 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 chemistry, plant science, agricultural science, biology, and physics. 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information 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.
