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Social Science Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
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Summary

This position is located within Agricultural Research Unit, Northeast Area, Food Systems Research Unit in Burlington, VT.

In this position, you will support social scientists in developing and designing on food systems research projects on farms and food business in local and regional food systems. You will evaluate the integrated effects of sustainable farm practices, farm products, and consumer choice on public health, as well as economic, environmental and social sustainability.




Duties

  1. Contributes ideas towards the planning of the technical aspects of the research.
  2. Evaluates, interprets, and summarizes data using computer software packages.
  3. Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies qualitative and/or quantitative data and supporting records.
  4. Participates as a team member by performing various scientific support duties involved with food systems, including social, environmental, and economic aspects of producing, distributing, sourcing, and eating food.





Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • 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. Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

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-05
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 the GS-05 position 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 assisting higher level technicians in one or more phases of the research process in an office setting; and operating common office equipment.
OR
Education: A full 4-year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required. Directly related degrees or courses may include food systems, environmental studies, geography, agroecology, psychology, or sociology.
OR
A combination of experience and education as described above.

GS-06
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 participating in a social science research project; keeping detailed records of data; and performing routine and recurring techniques using a variety of research software.
OR
Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include food systems, environmental studies, geography, agroecology, psychology, or sociology.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described above.

GS-07
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 successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience collecting data from social science studies; and compiling and summarizing data from studies using research software.
OR
Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include food systems, environmental studies, geography, agroecology, psychology, or sociology.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.


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.

Announcement number
  • ARS-S23Y-11897220-AC
Control number
  • 714986800