Biological Science Technician (Plants)

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, Pacific West Area, in Hilo, HI, seeks a senior technician to support the Tropical Plant Genetic Resources & Disease Unit. You will help collect, preserve, document, and distribute subtropical and tropical fruit, nut, and beverage crops.

You will maintain detailed records, contribute to method development, and assist with literature searches and phenotypic/genetic characterization of germplasm in a hands-on lab and field setting.

Qualifications

• Experience with plant germplasm curation and data recording.
• Ability to maintain detailed records and documentation.
• Ability to locate and evaluate literature related to cultivation, propagation, pests, diseases, and molecular methods.
• Familiarity with laboratory, greenhouse, or field procedures used in plant biology.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Keeps detailed records of plant accession, cultivation, and experimental data.
• Researches new products and procedures to improve curatorial or characterization procedures.
• Searches for literature pertinent to plant cultivation requirements, seed or propagation techniques, pest and disease identification or control, new molecular research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• Develops and refines techniques to improve germplasm cultivation, including monitoring and managing pests and diseases, and enhances methods for phenotypic and genetic characterization of the collections.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment such as autoclaves, pH meters, spectrophotometers, total soluble sugar monitors, thermocyclers, mowers, sprayers etc.
• Prepares and applies spray or reagent solutions, such as, but not limited to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).

Skills

Attention to Detail

Integrity/Honesty

Interpersonal Skills

Flexibility

Reading Comprehension

Teamwork

Self-Management

Learning

Job description

Summary

This position is located at USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Pacific West Area, Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Tropical Plant Genetic Resources & Disease Unit, in Hilo, HI. This position serves as a senior technician supporting the unit's curatorial and research team in collecting, preserving, characterizing, documenting, and distributing subtropical and tropical fruit, nut, and beverage crops.

Major Duties

• Keeps detailed records of plant accession, cultivation, and experimental data.
• Researches new products and procedures to assist in making the curatorial or characterization procedures more effective or efficient.
• Searches for literature pertinent to plant cultivation requirements, seed or propagation techniques, pest and disease identification or control, new molecular research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• Develops and refines techniques to improve germplasm cultivation, including monitoring and managing pests and diseases, and enhances methods for phenotypic and genetic characterization of the collections.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment such as autoclaves, pH meters, spectrophotometers, total soluble sugar monitors, thermocyclers, mowers, sprayers etc.
• Prepares and applies spray or reagent solutions, such as, but not limited to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

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.

Evaluations

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using Category Rating. 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. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from