Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Physical Science Technician
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-S22NEA-11397317-AL Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, February 25, 2022 to Thursday, March 10, 2022
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-08 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-09 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified. (limit characters)
3. I have the following environmental field work experience: (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Piloting or co-piloting unoccupied aerial vehicles. (limit characters)
5. Install, maintain, and troubleshoot electronic environmental sensors and data loggers.
(limit characters)
6. Install, maintain, and troubleshoot irrigation systems. (limit characters)
7. Collect and process water, soil, and/or vegetation sample data.
(limit characters)
8. Follow, update, and/or develop standard operating procedures for field and lab work, as well as data management processes.
(limit characters)
9. Search for scientific literature, including peer-reviewed publications, to stay up-to-date on state-of-the-art methods in environmental science and/or precision agriculture. (limit characters)
10. Write and/or assist with the preparation of scientific documents, including reports and peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as field notes and internal correspondence. (limit characters)
11. Conduct agricultural research activities related to irrigation systems, fertilizer application, and/or soil, plant, water, or gas sampling.
(limit characters)
12. I have used the following computer software to analyze environmental data: (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
13. Modify and calibrate complex or specialized instrumentation for collecting research data related to the research
(limit characters)
14. Conduct and assist with laboratory analyses of water, soil, and/or vegetation samples.
(limit characters)
15. Manage environmental data by tabulating, statistically analyzing, and summarizing data using modern computational methods and software packages.
(limit characters)
16. Initiate action to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results.
(limit characters)
17. 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)