OUTREACH NOTICE
Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-07
Term Position
Forest Health Protection
Asheville Field Office
Asheville, North Carolina
Biological Science Technician GS-0404-07 Term NTE 2 years
DESCRIPTION OF THE DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS POSITION:
Position Description:
This Biological Scientist Technician position is located at the USDA Forest Service Resistance Screening Center (RSC) located at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville, NC. This is a term position not to exceed 2 years initially, with possible extension of the tour based on funding. The RSC provides service to a variety of clients including national forests, other federal agencies, state forestry organizations, private industry, colleges and universities located primarily in the Southern Region. The Screening Center is a facility where plant materials are screened against a variety of plant pathogens to determine resistance. Fusiform rust, pitch canker, Phytophthora root rot, dogwood anthracnose, and brown spot are a few of the pathogens of interest. The facility consists of a glass greenhouse, two plastic greenhouses, a soil/media mixing building, a head house, a laboratory, and administrative offices. The position requires field and laboratory work. Travel will be occasional as some work locations are more than a day’s drive from the field office. As a member of the Asheville Field Office staff, the Biological Science Technician will cooperate and collaborate with other plant pathologists, entomologists, biological scientists, technicians, and other specialists to address forest health issues of local, regional and national importance. The work may involve diseases caused by both native and introduced pathogens.
The Biological Science Technician will use appropriate methods and procedures to meet objectives in disease resistance programs. They will assist in nursery management, disease monitoring, data management, project reporting, and facilities maintenance. The incumbent will receive continued training in the planning, scheduling, and implementation of seed sowing, propagating, irrigating, insect & disease monitoring, and fertilizing to maintain healthy seedlings. Responsibilities include monitoring for insects and diseases, determining and applying appropriate treatments based on integrated pest management practices; irrigation monitoring and implementation; tracking and maintaining genetic identities on individual plants; and maintaining facilities to meet resistance screening needs.
NOTE: Requires the ability to obtain a pesticide application license within one year and maintain license.
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