Experience Inc. Jobs

Summary This position is located with USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area (PWA), National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, OR and will be the Curator of the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) collection of temperate tree fruit and nut species. Responsibilities Acquiring and conserving temperate tree fruit and nut genetic resources and associated information. Characterizing and evaluating selected germplasm, using morphological and molecular markers. Assessing how and whether selected wild temperate tree fruit and nut genetic resources are most effectively conserved. Test genetic resources for pathogens; perform pathogen elimination procedures. Preserves and propagates genetically identified, vigorous, disease-negative plants of temperate fruit, nut, and specialty crop active collections. 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. Basic Requirements: GS-0437 Degree: horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GS-0440 Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. As well as meeting the Basic Requirements of one of the series above, you must also meet the Minimum Qualification requirement below. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level, or its non-Federal equivalent collecting, propagating, and curating tree and nut specialty crops such as pears, hazelnuts, mint, hops, or their wild relatives, according to established national or international standards and regulations; experience in grafting, tissue culture, and pathogen cleanup of germplasm; documenting plant genetic characteristics; and developing technical guidance on the production of high quality, well-characterized germplasm for tree, nut, and specialty crop plants. 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 workday) 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. 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. 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. 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.