Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Summary

This position is located at USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Pacific West Area, Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Tropical Plant Genetic Resources & Disease Unit, in Hilo, HI.

This position serves as a senior technician supporting the unit's curatorial and research team in collecting, preserving, characterizing, documenting, and distributing subtropical and tropical fruit, nut, and beverage crops.

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Duties

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• Keeps detailed records of plant accession, cultivation, and experimental data.
• Researches new products and procedures to assist in making the curatorial or characterization procedures more effective or efficient.
• Searches for literature pertinent to plant cultivation requirements, seed or propagation techniques, pest and disease identification or control, new molecular research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• Develops and refines techniques to improve germplasm cultivation, including monitoring and managing pests and diseases, and enhances methods for phenotypic and genetic characterization of the collections.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment such as autoclaves, pH meters, spectrophotometers, total soluble sugar monitors, thermocyclers, mowers, sprayers etc.
• Prepares and applies spray or reagent solutions, such as, but not limited to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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 .
• 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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, 10/28/2026 , including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised.

GS-06:

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 perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in a research project related to plant or plant crops (such as sub-tropical or tropical fruit and nuts); assisting with recording or scientific or descriptor data; and working with research equipment in a laboratory, greenhouse or field environment.

OR

Education: One (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production.

OR

A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-07:

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 conservation, propagation, cultivation, evaluation, or research related to plant or plant crops (such as subtropical or tropical fruit and nuts); collecting or analyzing biological samples; and maintaining or cleaning basic greenhouse or laboratory equipment.

OR

Education: One (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production.

OR

A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-08:

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 research project related to plants, water, or soil; collecting crop or plant samples; and operating specialized greenhouse or laboratory equipment.

OR

Education: Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production.

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.

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.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
• 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 also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.