This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/503244700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Introduction Research Unit, located in Ames, Iowa. The unit’s mission involves the acquisition, maintenance, distribution, characterization, evaluation, and enhancement of plant germplasm for use in improving agricultural and horticultural efficiency. The primary purpose of the position is to ensure seed and plant health; provide for diagnostic pathology testing using a variety of technologies; support national and international distribution of plant genetic resources; develop methodology to support seed health testing; ensure all safety practices are followed.
Incumbent must have and maintain a valid drivers license as a condition of employment.
Incumbent must have or be able to obtain, a pesticide applicator’s license from the state of Iowa within 6 months of hiring.
Field and laboratory working conditions impose exposure to heat, cold, dust, molds. High level of dexterity and eye-hand coordination required for laboratory, microscopy, and computer tasks.
07/02/2018 to 07/16/2018
$73,375 - $113,428 per year
GS 12 - 13
1 vacancy in the following location:
Occasional travel - The incumbent will be required to travel to field sites; and to attend professional meetings.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
14
No
ARS-S18E-0102
503244700
Major Duties may include, but are not limited to:
Plans and carries out all phases of field and laboratory experiments including design, field plot layout, and statistical analysis of data.
Directs a phytosanitary seed health program that includes conducting field inspections of seed increase plots performing a variety of laboratory seed health tests, and development of new methodology.
Maintains long-term, computerized records of seed health tests and field inspections and utilizes records to detect trends in impact of pathogens or changing genetic diversity of pathogens in relation to their host plants.
Serves as an advisor and contributes scientific expertise to address phytosanitary concerns within the US National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS).
Communicates and collaborates with colleagues from federal, state, and private research laboratories, curators and staff of the NPGS and other scientists in the plant germplasm user community.
Plans, oversees, and conducts research trials to evaluate plant genetic resources for sources of disease resistance and to obtain descriptor data for the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Global) database.
Develops new techniques for diagnosis, isolation, culture, and identification of pathogens affecting plant species in the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station’s (NCRPIS) germplasm collection.
Analyzes and interprets research data with appropriate statistical methodology.
Reports results in publications and at scientific meetings, and provides evaluation data for the GRIN-Global database.
Utilizes modern diagnostic protocols, including molecular techniques, for detection and identification of pathogens affecting plant species in the NCRPISs germplasm collection.
Monitors the NCRPISs germplasm collection for foreign pathogens and new races, strains, or isolates of indigenous pathogens.
Maintains a reference culture collection of plant pathogens and adds new pathogens or isolates to that collection as they are identified.
Incumbent cannot be absent for more than 10 consecutive days during the growing season (May 1 through September 15).
Basic Requirements:
Degree: plant pathology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 20 semester hours in basic botany or plant science, and 10 semester hours in plant pathology.
Additional Requirements:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are:
GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are:
• Experience using theories, principles, concepts, practices and methods of plant pathology, with emphasis on bacteriology, mycology, and virology;
• Utilizing molecular and immunological techniques and their application to disease diagnosis and pathogen identification;
• Use of a relational database such as GRIN-Global, and /or MS Access;
• Developing science-based recommendations, facilitating interaction with scientists, staff, administrators, user/consumer groups, and the public; and
• Conducting research, interpreting results, and documenting findings in technical reports and through peer reviewed and proceedings publications in scientific journals
GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are:
• Experience in advanced theories, principles, concepts, practices and methods of plant pathology, with emphasis on bacteriology mycology, and virology;
• Developing new techniques or improving existing techniques for diagnosis, isolation, culture, and identification of pathogens affecting plant species;
• Maintaining long-term, computerized records of seed health tests and field inspections;
• Serving as an advisor and contributing scientific expertise to address phytosanitary concerns; and
• Conducting cooperative research experiments, interpreting results, and documenting findings in technical reports and through peer reviewed and proceedings publications in scientific journals.
More than one selection may be made if another vacancy occurs within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of eligibles.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
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.
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.
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.
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=6465
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisors phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit http://www.naces.org/members.htm. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veterans preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veterans preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veterans preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veterans preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
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/503244700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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