Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Duties Summary This position is located at USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Pacific West Area, Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Tropical Plant Genetic Resources & Disease Unit, in Hilo, HI. This position serves as a senior technician supporting the unit's curatorial and research team in collecting, preserving, characterizing, documenting, and distributing subtropical and tropical fruit, nut, and beverage crops.

Requirements Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, 10/28/2026, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. GS-06:

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 participating in a research project related to plant or plant crops (such as sub-tropical or tropical fruit and nuts); assisting with recording or scientific or descriptor data; and working with research equipment in a laboratory, greenhouse or field environment. OR Education: One (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-07:

Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 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 participating in conservation, propagation, cultivation, evaluation, or research related to plant or plant crops (such as subtropical or tropical fruit and nuts); collecting or analyzing biological samples; and maintaining or cleaning basic greenhouse or laboratory equipment. OR Education: One (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-08:

Qualifying experience for GS-08 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 participating in one or more phases of a research project related to plants, water, or soil; collecting crop or plant samples; and operating specialized greenhouse or laboratory equipment. OR Education: Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include biology with an emphasis in plants, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, plant pathology, plant physiology, and crop production. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience 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.

Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. What we do matters in science and the world. For more information about Agricultural Research Service, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/.