Horticulturist

This position is located at USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Field Organization, Pacific West Area, National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus in Riverside, CA. The incumbent in this developmental position will support the scientists in the Unit by developing technical expertise and providing assistance in all aspects of citrus and date horticulture.

Assist lab personnel with sample collection and processing for laboratory pathogen testing.

Assist unit scientists to coordinate entry of inventory data in the local database. Data are maintained in ARS laboratory notebook and/or organized hard files and computer data files according to established protocols.

Responsible for computer data maintenance and ensuring computer files are backed up to prevent loss of critical data.

Perform shoot-tip grafting (primary) and heat therapy (secondary) for elimination of citrus pathogens.

Assist the scientists in the growth and horticultural use of plants needed for assigned work.

Coordinate with the Unit Scientists in developing the propagation and repropagation needs, handling of new acquisitions, inventory control, and collection of samples for distribution.

Coordinate with supervisor and other personnel to ensure that facilities and equipment are fully functional and properly maintained.

Coordinate with the Unit Scientists in determining the propagation and repropagation needs of citrus and dates, handling of new acquisitions, inventory control, and collection of samples for distribution.

Prepare germplasm for biological indexing and assists in reading symptoms.

Search literature for principals and methods, and procedures and selects the most appropriate to meet assignment objectives.

You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. The U.S. Government utilizes Trusted Workforce 2.0 to implement Continuous Vetting (CV) as a-whole-of government approach to personnel security. If selected for this position, you will be subject to continuous automated record checks of criminal, financial, and public record databases throughout your period of eligibility or employment, replacing traditional periodic reinvestigations. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.