Agricultural Science Research Technician (Animal)

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS); Dubois (ID); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Dubois, ID, focuses on Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research. The position supports animal research through care, sample handling, and data collection, while operating related farm equipment.

Responsibilities include assisting with pasture management and maintaining detailed records. The role requires attention to safety, accuracy, and consistency in a research farm setting in Idaho.

Qualifications

• Qualifying experience is related to animal care, lab, pasture, or feedlot tasks and record keeping.
• Education: bachelor’s degree with biology, chemistry, math, or related coursework.
• Graduate study or combined education/experience may supplement required experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in animal care and feeding.
• Handle samples and perform routine data collection.
• Operate and maintain research and farm equipment.
• Keep detailed experimental records and support pasture improvements.

Skills

Animal care

Data collection

Sample handling

Equipment operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related fields

Tools

Farm equipment operation

Animal care equipment

Job description

Summary

This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research located in Dubois, ID. In this position, you will support animal research by assisting with animal care, sample handling, data collection, and operation of research and farm equipment.

Duties

This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research located in Dubois, ID. In this position, you will support animal research by assisting with animal care, sample handling, data collection, and operation of research and farm equipment.

Requirements

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-05 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 animal care and feeding; performing routine laboratory, pasture, and feedlot tasks; collecting and recording samples and measurements; keeping detailed experimental records; using routine farm/ag equipment; and/or assisting with pasture improvement and weed control. 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. Related degrees or courses may include: Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition, Agronomy, Agricultural Science, Biology, Range Science.

OR A combination of education and specialized experience as described above. GS-06 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 performing animal husbandry and pasture/rangeland tasks; collecting and verifying samples; keeping detailed scientific records; operating and calibrating large machinery; modifying equipment; and identifying abnormal or unexpected biological results. OR Education: Successful completion of 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include: Related degrees may include: Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition, Agronomy, Agricultural Science, Biology, Range Science. 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.

Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/. This is a TERM position NTE 4 years. Initial appointment of 13 months with possible 1 year extensions up to maximum of 4 years for total appointment.