Physical Science Technician at Fargo

JOB SUMMARY:

Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

Who May Apply: All U.S. Citizens AND those eligible for consideration under a non-competitive hiring authority (i.e., 30% or More Disabled Veteran, VRA, Schedule A, Interchange Agreement, etc.).

 

This position is for a Physical Science Technician located in Fargo, ND.

 

The incumbent provides technical support to the Hard Spring and Durum Wheat Quality Laboratory in the Cereal Crops Research Unit in Fargo, ND. The mission of the Cereal Crops Research Unit is to improve quality and disease resistance of small grains through research on genetics, genomics, pathology, and end-use quality. This position is dedicated to the enhancement of end-use quality of hard spring and durum wheat.

 

Conditions of Employment:

The work requires moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, machines, with irritant chemicals, flour dust, or obnoxious odors. Applicant must have a valid drivers license and be able to learn to operate a forklift.

 

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service
• Must possess a valid drivers license
• Must be able to learn to operate a forklift
• Occasional travel required

DUTIES:Back to top

Major duties of the position include but are not limited to:

 

• Conducting experimental milling trials of hard spring and durum wheat.

• Performing wheat sample preparation, such as cleaning and tempering.

• Conducting laboratory experiments and quality evaluations of cereal grains, primarily hard spring and durum wheat.

• Performing grain, flour, semolina, dough, and bread quality analysis.

• Operating, calibrating, and maintaining specialized equipment, such as experimental mills and laboratory instruments.

• Maintaining precise and detailed records of experimental conditions and data.

• Compiling and analyzing data using various computer software packages, and preparing reports as required.

• Participating as a team member with scientists in all phases of the research process.

• Assuming full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research.

• Providing input into the initial planning of experiments.

• Developing and designing various aspects of research projects on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor.

• Contributing to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 and 09 levels, you must meet ONE of the Specialized Experience requirements for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying, as outlined below:

 

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE for the GS-07 level:

Experience: you must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service which included:

• Assisting in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of standardized or routine duties in a laboratory or field environment;
• Using a variety of equipment (i.e., experimental wheat mills, such as the Quadrumat Jr and Sr, Buhler, and Miag mills; instruments related to cereal grain processing and quality evaluation, such as a grain cleaner, mixograph, farinograph, extensigraph, etc.) to collect samples and take measurements;
• Maintaining, calibrating, and modifying equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures;
• Handling research samples; and
• Keeping detailed records of data and/or chemical and biological materials.

OR

Education: you must have successfully completed at least one year (18 semester hours) of graduate education with major study in cereal science, milling science, grain processing, baking science, food science, or other fields directly related to this position. Such education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of this position. You must submit transcripts if qualifying based on education.

OR

Combination: you must possess a combination of the specialized experience described above and education as described above, such that the percentage of required experience plus the percentage of education equals 100%. You must submit transcripts if qualifying based on education.

 

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE for the GS-09 level:

Experience: you must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service which included:

• Participating as a team member in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of standardized duties in a laboratory or field environment;
• Conducting wheat milling, and wheat and flour quality evaluations;
• Utilizing a variety of equipment (i.e., wheat mills, such as the Quadrumat Jr and Sr, Buhler, and Miag mills; instruments related to cereal grain processing and quality evaluation, such as a grain cleaner, mixograph, farinograph, extensigraph, etc.) to collect samples and take measurements;
• Maintaining, calibrating, and modifying equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures;
• Handling and managing research samples;
• Keeping detailed records of data and/or chemical and biological materials; and
• Tabulating, analyzing, and summarizing data using a personal computer and software packages (i.e., Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, etc.).

OR

Education: you must have successfully completed at least two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree in cereal science, milling science, grain processing, baking science, food science, or other fields directly related to this position. Such education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of this position. Two full years is generally equivalent to 36 semester hours. You must submit transcripts if qualifying based on education.

OR

Combination: you must possess a combination of the specialized experience described above and education as described above, such that the percentage of required experience plus the percentage of education equals 100%. You must submit transcripts if qualifying based on education.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

This position is open to all US Citizens and Nationals, and Noncompetitive and Special Hiring Authority eligibles.  You may apply under open-competitive, and noncompetitive procedures, however; you must meet the requirements for one of the following categories to apply as a noncompetitive eligible.

1. A current permanent competitive service employee; former Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service; or former Federal employee who served on a career conditional appointment without achieving career status in the competitive service who was separated less than three years ago. This includes applicants who have previously held, or currently hold this position and grade with the same promotion potential as announced for this announcement. You must submit the SF-50 that shows competitive service eligibility to be considered.

2. A Veteran applying for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge to be considered. Eligibility for VRA appointments includes Disabled veterans; Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a military operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; and Veterans separated from active duty within the past 3 years. Disabled veterans must provide the SF-15 and supporting documentation from the VA along with DD-214. NOTE: VRA only applies to positions at the GS-11 level and below.

3. A 30% or more Disabled Veteran. You must submit your DD214, a completed SF-15, and letter from the VA dated 1991 or later as proof to be considered.

4. A military spouse. Military spouses are eligible if their active duty military spouse: 1) receives a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move; 2) has a 100% disability rating; or 3) died while on active duty. Please submit supporting documentation as proof to be considered.

5. A Severely Physically Handicapped Schedule A Appointment. Please submit documentation from a State or Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Service as proof to be considered.

6. A Former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers Appointment. Please submit documentation as proof to be considered.

7. Interchange Agreements and Miscellaneous Authorities. Please submit documentation as proof to be considered.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating Procedures.  Qualified candidates will be placed for selection consideration into three categories:  Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified.  Within these categories, applicants eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.  Your resume will be reviewed and compared against your responses to the online questionnaire.  We strongly encourage you to answer every question that accompanies this vacancy, as your responses will better highlight your specific qualifications. 

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Ability to adapt, develop, or improve milling and end-use quality evaluation techniques and procedures.
• Skill in applying the principles, theories, and practices of cereal science.
• Skill to operate and maintain complex equipment systems related to cereal grain processing and quality evaluation.
• Knowledge of the research project objectives sufficient to contribute ideas to the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of experimental design and execution.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and software packages for data collection, analysis, and presentation.

 

Please note that your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the assessment questionnaire.  High self-assessment in the applicant questions that is not supported by information in your resume may eliminate you from best-qualified status and subsequent referral to the selecting official.

Displaced/Surplus Employees: Individuals eligible under the USDA Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.  CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area will be considered well qualified if the applicant meets the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors, and is rated in the Well Qualified Category as described in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.  Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.  CLICK HERE for additional information on CTAP and ICTAP.

Country: USA, State: North Dakota, City: Fargo, Company: Agricultural Research Service.