Conservation Biological Control Research | USDA

Summer Research Assistant: Conservation Biological Control and Sustainable
Agriculture

Title: Biological Science Aide  Series: 0404  Grade: GS2 or GS3 Vacancy
Announcement Number: Seasonal L/A  Location: USDA-ARS Northern Plains
Agricultural Research Lab, Sidney, Montana

Job Description/Duties: The USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Northern
Plains Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney, MT is seeking an
enthusiastic and hardworking individual to serve as a biological science
aide on projects examining the influence of landscape structure and crop
diversity on pest insects and their natural enemies (e.g. ladybeetles,
parasitoid wasps).  The research is focused on developing
ecologically-based, sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to
pest management in agricultural systems.  This position will involve a
mixture of field work (~50%), and lab work to sort samples and identify
insect pests and their natural enemies (~50%).  The successful candidate
will gain hands on experience with insect field sampling methods, set up and
maintenance of field experiments and insect rearing and identification
techniques, as well as the chance to work with the diverse insect fauna
associated with cropping systems in a team oriented research environment.

Salary: $11.68 (GS-2) or $12.74 (GS-3) per hour depending on experience and
education. The candidate will receive overtime pay when working above the
base work schedule of 40 hours a week.  Housing is not covered, but
dorm-style shared housing is available on location for ~$148 per month,
including utilities.

Dates: May-September 2018 (this is a 16-week appointment with the
possibility of extension).  Please specify your available start and end
dates in your application.

Qualifications: The candidate must be a US citizen, with a valid driver’s
license.  Additionally, the candidate should be physically fit, and
comfortable spending time outside in uncomfortable field conditions (hot,
biting insects etc.). Willingness to work long days, and weekends when
necessary is also a must. Undergraduate course work in ecology or
entomology, and previous field and lab work experience is preferred but not
required.

Application process: Please send cover letter, resume and names and contact
information of two references (electronically) in a single file to Dr.
Tatyana Rand (tatyana.rand@ars.usda.gov).

Open Period: Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue
until the position is filled. For more information on our research program
visit our website at www.ars.usda.gov/npa/nparl or contact us directly.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
Reasonable Accommodation:  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any
part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding
reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the
application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program
Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).