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Summary This position is located with the Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois. In this position you will support research in the Renewable Product Technology Research Unit. The overall mission of RPT is to develop technologies that employ a variety of chemical, microbial, biochemical, and genetic approaches for converting agricultural materials into new marketable, sustainable, and environmentally acceptable value-added products. Responsibilities Maintains inventory of chemicals, prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory. Performs microbiological studies with bacteria and fungi. Performs molecular biological techniques, such as DNA/RNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction and gene cloning. Performs protein purification and characterization. Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records. Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-5 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 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 assisting in experiments collecting biological or chemical samples; recording scientific data; and operating basic laboratory equipment. OR Education: A full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Plant Pathology or Veterinary Science. OR A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-6 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: 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 preparing research samples; compiling and summarizing data from experiments; and using microbiology or molecular biology techniques in a laboratory environment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Plant Pathology or Veterinary Science. OR A combination of specialized experience and education 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. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. 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 is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.