Physical Science Technician

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-7 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 participating in a research project or experiment; recording and analyzing scientific data; maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year 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 Biological Science, Physical Science, Agricultural science, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Chemical science, or Chemistry. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-8 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 one or more phases of a research project; collecting or preparing samples; interpreting laboratory results and keeping records of experimental data and operating or maintaining specialized equipment. OR Education: Two 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 Biological Science, Physical Science, Agricultural science, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Chemical science, or Chemistry. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-9 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 actively participating in a research project or experiment in a field or laboratory setting; collecting, preparing, or verifying samples; researching and recommending solutions to technical difficulties, and assisting in the development or improvement of techniques or procedures within the experiment process. OR Education: Two 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 Biological Science, Physical Science, Agricultural science, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Chemical science, or Chemistry. 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.
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Sustainable Water Management Research Unit in Stoneville, MS In this position, you will actively participate in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory, field, or greenhouse environment.