Agricultural Science Research Technician

This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Pacific West Area, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Unit in Pullman, WA. In this position, you will participate as a team member with the scientist in all phases of the research process and assume full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research.

• Contributes to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings.
• Operates and maintains a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.
• Determines the kinds and frequency of tests, observations, etc., to be made and the amount of data to be recorded.
• Keeps exact, detailed records of experimental data.
• Tabulates, statistically analyzes and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
• Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies samples and supporting records.

• 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
• 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.

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 on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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

Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, visit  Questionnaire/

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and…