This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/450256300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The incumbent is a Research Agricultural Engineer in the Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, within the United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Services Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, located in Manhattan, Kansas. The units objectives are to develop methods to quantify grain attributes that impact quality and can enhance productivity. The incumbent is responsible for formulating and conducting both basic and applied engineering research that will achieve this.
U.S. citizens, permanent residents who meet certain eligibility requirements and non-citizens who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/EmployForeignNationals/index.htm
**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR UNTIL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017**
This position is temporary and has a Not-to-Exceed date of 2 years from the first day of employment. However, an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds.
09/13/2016 to 09/12/2017
$59,246 - $77,019 per year
GS 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
Occasional travel - Occasional travel offsite and to other USDA/ARS facilities in order to complete work assignments
No
Temporary
Full-Time
12
No
RA-16-054-LA
450256300
The incumbent is responsible for experimental and practical aspects of planning and conducting research activities within the assigned area. The incumbent will develop instruments and procedures to rapidly and non-destructively detect/measure single kernel grain attributes such as haploid seeds and composition for use in breeding programs, or methods to detect insect damaged kernels. Research objectives will result in new knowledge that is useful for screening poor quality grain from the market and advancing the breeding efficiency of grains.
The incumbent will conduct research on the development of instrumented techniques for cereal grain analysis. Research will focus on whole grain and single kernels with the purpose of selecting grain traits for breeding purposes based on composition, defects or other quality attributes. Sensing methods may include the use of UV, visible and near infrared spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, or imaging. Team supported integration of novel hardware and sensors, electro-mechanical and software systems may be required. Responsibilities will also include manuscript preparation.
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents seeking U.S. Citizenship.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.
This position requires a Ph.D in Agricultural Engineering, Engineering Science or a closely related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. In-depth knowledge in some of these areas would be beneficial; electronics, optical sensors, software development, image analysis, statistical analysis or mechanical systems.
Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
Written Test-- Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Applicants who have passed the EIT examination and have completed all the requirements for either (a) a Bachelors degree in engineering technology (BET) from an accredited college of university that included 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, or (b) a BET from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) may be rated eligible for certain engineering positions at GS-5. Eligibility is limited to positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of the engineering technology program. Applicants for positions that involve highly technical research, development, or similar functions requiring an advanced level of competence in basic science must meet the basic requirements in paragraph A.
Because of the diversity in kind and quality of BET programs, graduates of other BET programs are required to complete at least 1 year of additional education or highly technical work experience of such nature as to provide reasonable assurance of the possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for professional engineering competence. The adequacy of this background must be demonstrated by passing the EIT examination.
Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A.
Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
• E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form 1-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".
If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job. To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate. Some of the items listed may not apply to you. NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.
If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job. To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate. Some of the items listed may not apply to you. NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.
APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST
__ Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications
The following information is required of all applicants:
__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position
__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)
__ Indicate country of citizenship __Copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Only if claiming veterans preference. Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp)
__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) plus the supporting documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's preference). Visit http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain the form.
As an Applicant for a Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, you must also submit the following:
__ A one-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation
__ A resume of any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitations); and publications.
__ A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.
If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications must be emailed to the appropriate Point of Contact listed below:
Dr. Paul Armstrong, Agricultural Engineer
E-mail: paul.armstrong@ars.usda.gov
Telephone Inquiries: (785) 776-2728
When sending your application as an attachment via email, please do not send zipped files. They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.
Applications will be received and reviewed for consideration until a selection has been made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/450256300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organizations. ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.