Physical Science Technician

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, ID.
In this position, you will be responsible for participating in field and laboratory research projects related to plants, soil, irrigation, and gas emissions.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-5
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-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is assisting in collecting and preparing soil or plant samples in a field or laboratory environment; analyzing soil or plant material in a laboratory setting; recording scientific data; and operating basic laboratory equipment.
OR
Education. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of Physical Science, or (b) that included at least 24 semesters at least 6 semester hours in any combination of courses such as Physical Science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, or Geology
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.
GS-6
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-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is collecting and preparing soil, plant or gas emissions samples in a field or laboratory environment; analyzing soil or plant material in a laboratory setting; recording scientific data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialized equipment.
OR
Education: One full year or progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, or Geology.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.
GS-7
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 field research projects related to plants, soil, or gas emissions; collecting and preparing soil, plant or gas emissions samples in a field or laboratory environment; analyzing soil or plant material in a laboratory setting; recording scientific data; and maintaining equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation.
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 Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, or Geology.
OR
A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above
GS-8
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 managing field research projects related to plants, soil, or gas emissions including irrigation management; collecting and preparing soil, plant or gas emissions samples in a field or laboratory environment; analyzing soil and plant material in a laboratory setting; preparing reports based on research data; and maintaining equipment in the field and laboratory and automated systems used for test and evaluation.
OR
Education: Successful completion of two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Geography, Soil Science, or Geology
OR
A combination of graduate 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.Employment Type: FULL_TIME