| Volunteering in a Federal Research Laboratory |
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To volunteer in my laboratory, you must be at least 16 years old. First, visit my lab to learn about my program and available projects (step 1). If still interested after your visit, complete the forms and information requests listed in steps 2 through 8. Schedule an appointment with me to submit your paperwork. I will submit your application packet, and when approved you will then come to the lab and complete step 9.
Do the following -
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Contact me to arrange a visit the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory (USHRL). I will show you what I do, what the position involves, and why the work is important to the horticultural community. This will help you determine if you want to become an official volunteer. To determine what you will be doing I need to know the number and distribution of hours per week you will volunteer.
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Volunteer Service Agreement. Complete and sign. Unlike many federal forms, this one is simple and can be completed in about 1 minute.
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Fingerprinting. A Live Scan digital fingerprint is taken here at the USHRL by Ms. Cassandra Willis. Fingerprinting is conducted Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8:30 am - 11:30 am and Thursdays from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. If under 18 years old a Fingerprinting Parental Consent Form is required.
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Resume.
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OF-306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). Complete and sign.
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Personal Information Identity Sheet. Complete. Do not fill in the *Length of Appointment (NTE Date) or check any of the boxes to the right of *Required Attachments.
- Official transcript from college, or a letter from your high school verifying your student status.
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Two forms of ID (e.g., Driver's License, Social Security card, birth certificate, passport).
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Complete a training course on laboratory safety. The training is provided here at the USHRL, takes 3-4 hours, and is a computer-based training course.
Contact me (randall.niedz@ars.usda.gov) if you have additional questions.
