Agricultural Science Research Technician

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Brownwood (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Crop Germplasm Research Unit in Brownwood, TX conducts research to improve pecan cultivars for U.S. farmers.

This position involves operating farm and irrigation equipment to manage about 250 acres of pecan orchards and performing diverse technical duties across the crop research process. You will collect and verify pecan samples, maintain records, and analyze data while adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen or US national.
• Background check and fingerprint clearance may be required.
• Willingness to obtain Texas Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator License within 6 months of start

Responsibilities

• Operate farm and irrigation equipment to plant, maintain, and harvest approx. 250 acres of pecan orchards.
• Collect, prepare, evaluate, and verify pecan samples and records.
• Perform a variety of technical duties across the crop research process.
• Tabulate, analyze, and summarize crop data using software packages.

Skills

Agricultural data collection

Pecan orchard management

Statistical analysis

Tools

Personal computers

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Crop Germplasm Research Unit located in Brownwood, TX. In this position, you will be performing a variety of technical duties to help facilitate the research and development of improved pecan cultivars for productive use by U.S. farmers. This includes operating farm and irrigation equipment to manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards.

Major Duties

• Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies pecan samples and supporting records.
• Uses agricultural equipment to plant, maintain, and harvest pecan orchards.
• Participates in one or more phases of the crop research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties.
• Collects crop data, maintains crop records, and compiles crop data and other information from various sources.
• Performs planting, spraying, irrigation, and harvesting of pecan orchards using specialized farm equipment.
• Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
• Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
• Managing and maintaining 250 acres of pecan orchards in addition to data and sample collection duties.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Requirements

You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Be willing to obtain and maintain, within 6 months of the position start date, a State of Texas Noncommercial Political Subdivision Pesticide Applicator License. Possess a valid US Drivers License.

Evaluations

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052830

Other 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. 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. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official.