Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area, Plant Polymer Research Unit in Peoria, IL. In this position you will develop new, cost and performance competitive bio-based products from agricultural specialties and commodities. Responsibilities Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records. Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Keeps detailed records of experimental data. Performs routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-5 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting in collecting or preparing physical material or chemistry samples in a laboratory environment; recording scientific data; and operating basic scientific equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position being filled. Related degrees may include Engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, material science, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, physical science, or biology. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-6 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting in one or more phases of the research process; Preparing physical material-based samples; and performing the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment in a laboratory setting. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, material science, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, physical science, or biology. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. GS-7 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience collecting, preparing, or evaluating physical material-based samples; maintaining scientific records; and operating or maintaining scientific equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, material science, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, physical science, or biology. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Please see above for education qualification information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).