Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Physical Science Technician
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-S20Y-10731464-MB Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, February 28, 2020 to Thursday, March 12, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
4. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position. (limit characters)
1. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-07 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
2. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-08 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Maintain inventory of chemicals or stock solutions.
(limit characters)
4. Prepare solutions and reagents for use in a laboratory or field.
(limit characters)
5. Safely dispose of waste material (both chemical and biological)
(limit characters)
6. Collect, prepare, evaluate, and verify plant or soil samples and supporting records.
(limit characters)
7. Participate in organic laboratory practices such as synthesis, natural product isolation, or profiling of microbial populations.
(limit characters)
8. Keep detailed records of experimental data obtained from plant or soil research.
(limit characters)
9. Locate, compile, summarize, and tabulate data and other information from various sources.
(limit characters)
10. Assist in one or more phases of plant or soil research process by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory or filed environment in support of research.
(limit characters)
11. Adapt or develop new techniques or procedures to satisfy the needs of a plant or soil research project. (limit characters)
12. Search for literature pertinent to areas of plant or soil research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field. (limit characters)
13. Maintain, calibrate and modify laboratory equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
(limit characters)
14. Tabulate, statistically analyze and summarize data using personal computers and software packages.
(limit characters)
15. Independently initiates action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results, or recommends resolution to supervisor. (limit characters)
16. I have performed a full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment including the following, such as (select all that apply)
(limit characters)
17. I have experience with the following skills in support of plant or soil related research (select all that apply)
(limit characters)
18. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)