Summary
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Crop Germplasm Research Unit located in Brownwood, TX. In this position, you will be performing a variety of technical duties to help facilitate the research and development of improved pecan cultivars for productive use by U.S. farmers. This includes operating farm and irrigation equipment to manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards.
Duties
Collects, prepares, evaluates and verifies pecan samples and supporting records.
Uses agricultural equipment to plant, maintain, and harvest pecan orchards.
Participates in one or more phases of the crop research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties.
Collects crop data, maintains crop records, and compiles crop data and other information from various sources.
Performs planting, spraying, irrigation, and harvesting of pecan orchards using specialized farm equipment.
Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.
Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
Manages and maintains 250 acres of pecan orchards in addition to data and sample collection duties.
Requirements
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 https://www.e-verify.gov/. 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. Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required. Pesticide Applicators License Required for State of Texas within 6 months of hire.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
How you will be evaluated
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13079911