Agricultural Science Research Technician

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• Operate farm and irrigation equipment to manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards
• Collect samples for plant research projects
• Organize, compile, analyze, or summarize scientific data (level-dependent)
• Process samples for plant research projects (GS-08)
• Utilize and maintain irrigation infrastructure and specialized plant-related farming equipment (GS-08)

Qualifications

GS-06:

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 collecting samples for a plant research project; organizing scientific data; and operating standard farm equipment (including but not limited to tractors, sprayers, shredders, plows, and rakes)
• Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in Crop Science, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Biological Sciences, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Agricultural Science, Ecology, Entomology, or Genetics
• Combination: Graduate level education and specialized experience as described above

GS-07:

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 collecting samples for a plant research project; compiling scientific data; and operating irrigation and specialized farm equipment (specialized equipment including but not limited to skid steers, harvesters, bucket-lifts, backhoes, bulldozers, and crop sprayers)
• Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in Crop Science, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Biological Sciences, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Agricultural Science, Ecology, Entomology, or Genetics
• Combination: Graduate level education and specialized experience as described above

GS-08:

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 processing samples for a plant research project; analyzing or summarizing scientific data; and utilizing or maintaining irrigation infrastructure and specialized plant-related farming equipment (specialized plant equipment including but not limited to tree shakers, harvesters, row sweepers, air-blast sprayers, tree hedgers, chippers, mulchers, and tree-spades)
• Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in Crop Science, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Biological Sciences, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Agricultural Science, Ecology, Entomology, or Genetics
• Combination: 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.