Summary This position is located within the Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit, for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Prosser, WA. In this position, you will participate in research seeking to enhance the quality, sustainability, and production of horticultural crops through improved management practices. Responsibilities Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records. Adapts, modifies or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project. Performs and supports a full range of vineyard and laboratory studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures (including total carbon and nitrogen analyzers, hyperspectral cameras, or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers). Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages. Searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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-07 Specialized Experience: 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-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 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 participating in a research project related to plants or soil chemistry, soil fertility, or soil health; processing samples and maintaining records; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Plant Science, Chemistry, Data Science, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Horticulture, or Viticulture. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08 Specialized Experience: 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-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 participating in one or more phases of a plant or soil science research process; statistically analyzing or summarizing data; and operating, maintaining, calibrating, or modifying specialized equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Plant Science, Chemistry, Data Science, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Horticulture, or Viticulture. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-09 Specialized Experience: 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-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-08 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 setting up and conducting an experiment or research project related to plant or soil science; collecting, preparing, and evaluating plant or soil samples for sequencing and supporting records; and summarizing research results for preparation in scientific reports or manuscripts. OR Education: Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Plant Science, Chemistry, Data Science, Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Horticulture, or Viticulture. 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. Physical Demands The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking or bending. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a work day) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Work Environment The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals or working outdoors. The employee is required to use protective clothing such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional 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. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. 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. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.