GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH WORKER performs manual, unskilled, or semiskilled duties in support of units involved with agriculture, forestry, or food science research. Work performed involves physical labor, such as moving pipe; harvesting vegetables, fruits, and other crops; cleaning stalls and pens; hauling wastes; and assisting others in performing skilled duties such as cultivating, planting, spraying pesticides, irrigating, feeding and exercising animals, and minor maintenance of equipment.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Unit Operations. Typical tasks: performs manual duties in support of units involved in one or more of the following research project specialties:
   1. Farm Operations. Typical tasks: assists technicians in cultivating, planting, pruning, spraying pesticides, irrigating, and harvesting crops; records weather data; maintains lawns and landscaping by mowing, weeding, watering, and raking leaves; measures and stakes research plots.
   2. Animal Care. Typical tasks: assists technicians in cleaning stalls and pens, changing bedding, and hauling waste; assists in handling and exercising animals; assists in feeding and weighing animals; keeps animals' water supply clean and full.
   3. Greenhouse Operations. Typical tasks: assists technicians in glazing glass surfaces; assists in performing minor carpentry and painting duties.
   4. Forestry Operations. Typical tasks: assists technicians in planting, irrigating, thinning, pruning, and applying pesticides to trees; clears brush; erects fences; assists in sorting and packaging seeds.
2. Building, Ground, and Equipment Maintenance. Typical tasks: assists technicians in minor maintenance of equipment, such as spray equipment, mowers, small tractors, weather instruments; cleans buildings; assists in maintaining roads; paints machinery and buildings.
3. Data Collection. Typical tasks: assists technicians in collecting data; weighs and counts samples (i.e. insects, crops, animal feed intake and wastage); assists in recording data (i.e. harvest yield, animal intake).

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have daily in-person contact with technicians in order to receive direction and instruction.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive close supervision from a higher-level technician. Work is reviewed daily for completion and conformance to established procedures and policies. State and Federal laws and regulations governing pesticide use and animal research and welfare may be used as guidelines by employees in this class.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of the eighth grade or possess a GED certificate.

WORKING CONDITIONS: To be incuded on the announcement. 

Must be able to work under the following condition with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Frequently lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100.