Biological Science Technician

Agricultural Research Service • Houma, LA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science Research Office, Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, Louisiana. The technician will support sustainable research and variety development using breeding, genomics, precision agriculture, integrated pest management, soil science, and plant physiology. The work involves crop and soil research, adapting techniques to project needs, analyzing and maintaining research data, and preparing materials for field and greenhouse use.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09 grade level by the announcement closing date of 11/03/2026.
• GS-07 specialized experience: one year comparable to GS-06, including preparing or analyzing biological samples related to entomology, operating common laboratory or greenhouse equipment used for tests or evaluations, and keeping detailed experimental data records; alternatively, one full year of directly related graduate education or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• GS-08 specialized experience: one year comparable to GS-07, including participating in one or more phases of crop research, assisting with crop-sample collection and raising crops in a field, and operating basic farm or pesticide equipment; alternatively, two full years of directly related graduate education or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• GS-09 specialized experience: one year comparable to GS-08, including conducting an experiment involving entomology and plant science, maintaining specialized scientific equipment and automated test or evaluation systems, using a microscope to identify and quantify organisms, and preparing reagents or solutions for laboratory PCR analysis; alternatively, two full years of directly related graduate education or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• Related graduate education may include Entomology, Biology, Pathology, Genetics, Agriculture, or Plant Science.
• Must meet applicable federal employment conditions, including Selective Service registration or exemption for males born after 12/31/1959, satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check, direct deposit, and successful E-Verify employment verification.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Use agricultural methods such as growing crops from seed or transplants, collecting soil samples or using basic soil methods, and processing crop samples for research.
• Adapt, modify, or develop techniques and procedures to meet research-project needs.
• Tabulate, statistically analyze, and summarize data using personal computers and software packages.
• Maintain records and locate and compile data and other information from various sources.
• Maintain inventories of chemicals and stock solutions, and prepare solutions and reagents for field and greenhouse use.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Flexible work arrangements may be available, subject to agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized at the hiring official's discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed