HORTICULTURIST

Agricultural Research Service • Hilo, HI

407d • $75,640 - $117,856

About The Position

The Horticulturist position at the D.K.I. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI, involves serving as a Support Scientist at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Sub-Tropical and Tropical Fruit, Nuts, and Beverage Crops. The role focuses on managing genetic resources, determining germplasm accessions, coordinating with colleagues for collection backups, and contributing to long-range goals in plant genetic resources and genomics.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National status required.
• Degree in horticulture or a related discipline with at least 30 semester hours in basic plant sciences, including 16 semester hours in horticultural subjects.
• Specialized experience at the GS-11 level includes one year of experience at the GS-09 level in preserving and propagating tropical/subtropical fruit collections.
• For GS-12, one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in maintenance, evaluation, and distribution of germplasm.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with liquid nitrogen and cryogenic storage.
• Knowledge of safety precautions in laboratory and field settings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as curator for genetic resources managed by the Pacific Tropical/Subtropical Fruit and Nut Genetic Resource Management and Sustainable Production Systems Research Project.
• Determine germplasm accessions to be added or eliminated from collections based on experimental evidence and professional judgment.
• Coordinate with ARS colleagues in the National Plant Germplasm System to back up collections at other locations.
• Plan and execute long-range goals as part of the ARS National Program 301, Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetic Improvement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree