Biological 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-05 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-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 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 by collecting or evaluating soil and/or plant samples in a field, greenhouse, or laboratory setting; and operating field or laboratory equipment OR Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study 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 to the position to be filled. . Related degrees may include computer sciences, agricultural science, plant science, plant pathology, genetics, chemistry, biological sciences, biology, or other related fields. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-06 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-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 plants and/or soils; preparing and analyzing agricultural or biological samples in a laboratory setting; and maintaining equipment used for test and evaluation procedures. 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 computer sciences, agricultural science, plant science, plant pathology, genetics, chemistry, biological sciences, biology, or other related fields. OR A combination of education and 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 Wind Erosion & Water Conservation Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area in Lubbock, TX. In this position, you will focus on the effects of wind-induced soil erosion and interactions between plants and soil environments.