Agricultural Science Research Technician (Animal)

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. GS-04 Experience: Qualifying experience for the GS-4 position includes 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience which is directly related to the work of this position. General experience for this position is defined as (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing a full range of routine and recurring techniques using a variety of general and specialized feed transport, processing, storage and delivery equipment; pasture tillage, seeding, irrigation, and management equipment; and mixing and delivering diets to animals (ruminants) in a feedlot and rangeland environment. OR Education: Two years of study above the high school level that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. Related courses include animal sciences, livestock feeding and nutrition, livestock/farm animal management, animal/livestock production, or meat sciences. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-05 Experience: Qualifying experience for the GS-5 grade level includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-4 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, maintaining inventory of all animal feeds, supplements, and additives; maintaining, calibrating or modifying equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures and collecting samples, maintaining records, compiling data and other information from various sources. OR Education: A full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related. Related courses may include animal sciences, livestock feeding and nutrition, livestock/farm animal management, animal/livestock production, or meat sciences. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-06 Experience: Qualifying experience for GS-06 grade level includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-05 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, participating in an agricultural animal research study involving sheep; collecting and evaluating animal or biological samples; recording and analyzing research results and data; and operating farm equipment. 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 animal sciences, livestock feeding and nutrition, livestock/farm animal management, animal/livestock production, or meat sciences. OR A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education directly related to the work of the position as stated above. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending, lifting heavy items (in excess of 50 lbs.), restraining animals, installing gates and fences, and climbing grain-bin ladders, fences and feed bunks. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, such as in a laboratory, 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, working outdoors in extreme weather conditions in remote locations, or around large machinery with exposed moving parts. Majority of time will be spent working in animal facilities, barns or outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, helmets, goggles, and/or gloves. 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.
This position is within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit (RSPERU) located in Dubois, ID In this position you will perform a variety of routine, standardized tests; procedures, routines, or operations in support of research projects, animal husbandry, and cropland/rangeland care. The majority of duties occur in the outdoor environment.