The USDA Agricultural Research Service, Crop Germplasm Research Unit in Brownwood, TX is hiring an Agricultural Science Research Technician to support the research and development of improved pecan cultivars for U.S. farmers. You’ll perform a variety of technical duties, including operating farm and irrigation equipment to manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards.
About the Role
Unit: Crop Germplasm Research Unit, USDA ARS, Brownwood, TX
Mission: Research and development of improved pecan cultivars for productive use by U.S. farmers
Orchard Scope: Manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards
Core Skills: Plant sample collection, scientific data work, farm and irrigation equipment operation
Job Type — Quick Summary
Position: Agricultural Science Research Technician | Type: Full-Time, On-Site (Federal) | Grades: GS-06 / GS-07 / GS-08
Position Overview
This Agricultural Science Research Technician position sits within the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Crop Germplasm Research Unit in Brownwood, Texas. You will perform a variety of technical duties that facilitate the research and development of improved pecan cultivars, including operating farm and irrigation equipment to manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards.
Why This Role Matters: As Agricultural Science Research Technician, you contribute directly to developing better pecan varieties for U.S. farmers, gain hands-on experience with research sampling, scientific data, and specialized orchard equipment, work with the USDA’s chief in-house scientific research agency, and build a federal career with multiple grade levels (GS-06 through GS-08) to match your experience.
Key Responsibilities
Research Support
- Perform technical duties supporting the research and development of improved pecan cultivars
- Collect and process samples for plant research projects
- Organize, compile, and analyze scientific data
Orchard & Equipment Operation
- Manage and maintain approximately 250 acres of pecan orchards
- Operate farm and irrigation equipment
- Use or maintain irrigation infrastructure and specialized plant-related farming equipment
Qualifications & Requirements
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements, including specialized experience and/or education, by the closing date of the announcement. Experience can be paid or unpaid, including volunteer work through National Service programs and other organizations.
GS-06 Level
- One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05, directly related to this work
- Experience collecting samples for a plant research project, organizing scientific data, and operating standard farm equipment such as tractors, sprayers, shredders, plows, and rakes
- OR one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field, OR a combination of education and experience
GS-07 Level
- One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06
- Experience collecting samples, compiling scientific data, and operating irrigation and specialized farm equipment such as skid steers, harvesters, bucket-lifts, backhoes, bulldozers, and crop sprayers
- OR one full year of related graduate education, OR a combination of education and experience
GS-08 Level
- One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07
- Experience processing samples, analyzing or summarizing scientific data, and utilizing or maintaining irrigation infrastructure and specialized plant equipment such as tree shakers, harvesters, row sweepers, air-blast sprayers, tree hedgers, chippers, mulchers, and tree-spades
- OR two full years of related graduate education, OR a combination of education and experience
Related Fields of Study
- Crop Science, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Biological Sciences, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Agricultural Science, Ecology, Entomology, or Genetics
About USDA Agricultural Research Service
The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Its work focuses on finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from field to table. You can learn more on the official ARS website at ars.usda.gov.
Career Excellence: Join a respected federal research agency and contribute to science that matters in agriculture and the world.
Who Should Apply?
- Agricultural & Horticulture Graduates: With hands-on field or research experience
- Orchard & Farm Equipment Operators: Experienced with tractors, sprayers, and specialized orchard machinery
- Plant Research Assistants: Skilled in sample collection and scientific data handling
- Volunteer & National Service Alumni: Whose unpaid experience may count toward qualifications
- Federal Career Seekers: Looking for a science-focused role with USDA
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