Clarification from the agency

This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista volunteers; and certain Military Spouses under various programs for Veterans. Note: Vacancy open to the public under Job Announcement # 20R-FL-305953-DEU-SERC

• Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and managing data using molecular genetic laboratory techniques and equipment
• Conduct laboratory-based sample processing, including fungal isolation and culturing using aseptic techniques, routine molecular tasks (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, DNA visualization, sequencing, genotyping), and next generation sequencing library preparation
• Responsible for scientific, programmatic, and data management, within a laboratory environment 
• Lead the implementation of field and greenhouse studies, including plant species identification and collection, measurements of environmental parameters, seed preparation, experimental set-up and monitoring, and data entry
• Assist in the training of other technicians, interns, and volunteers and manage and organize daily field and laboratory activities

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-8 grade level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position specialized experience is defined as conducting greenhouse studies and performing various research projects related to scientific, programmatic, and data management within the area of molecular ecology and ecological genetics; and collecting and analyzing samples.

Or

Education: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree directly related to the work of the position.

Or

A Combination of Education and Experience may be combined as described to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. 

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week. 

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. 

• Knowledge of data analysis and management techniques as they pertain to molecular genetic laboratory research
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art laboratory and data analysis techniques to evaluate, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental procedures, and to independently generate high quality data
• Knowledge and understanding of plant species identification and plant trait measurements, as well as techniques for field collection and preservation of genomic quality plan and soil samples
• Knowledge of operation of equipment when performing standardized tests or when taking readings, measurements and repetitively producing the same type of product, or assisting higher level technicians with the operation of more sophisticated equipment or equipment systems
• Knowledge of technical methods, theories, and practices of molecular genetics and extensive familiarity with laboratory techniques used in plant and microbial ecology; work with a broad spectrum of molecular genetic research projects
• Knowledge and skilled in the use of word-processing, database, sequencing, and genetic analysis software packages

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA):  If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities:  The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

• Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments
• Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• People with Disabilities

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.