ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.
The position is based in the Yakima Valley with field and greenhouse activities in the Yakima and Willamette Valleys. The incumbent works within a team of geneticists, pathologists and an advisory committee composed of hop growers and brewers.
**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR MARCH 1, 2021**
Summary
ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.
The position is based in the Yakima Valley with field and greenhouse activities in the Yakima and Willamette Valleys. The incumbent works within a team of geneticists, pathologists and an advisory committee composed of hop growers and brewers.
**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR MARCH 1, 2021**
The incumbent conducts hop breeding research that seeks to combine disease resistance, desirable brewer sensory traits, and superior agronomic performance with broad adaptation.
The research is closely coordinated with brewer and hop grower stakeholders, and excellent communication skills are critical when dealing with stakeholders.
The incumbent has leadership responsibilities for all activities involving the evaluation, selection, propagation, and advancement of hop clones within large hop breeding populations.
Candidates who will be successful in this position are highly organized, operate independently and possess the creativity to use their advanced knowledge of plant breeding to improve the production and use of hops.
Participates in tech transfer for new hop cultivars, which includes preparing germplasm release statements, conducting demonstration trails and presenting information on plant performance and adaptation.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
Direct Deposit ? Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met
Qualifications
This position requires a Ph.D in plant breeding, plant genetics, or 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. We are looking for candidates that possess extensive knowledge of traditional and molecular plant breeding and genetics, statistics, and experimental design.
Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. The Qualification Standard for the Genetics Series, GS-0440 can be found in this link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/genetics-series-0440/
Education
This position has a positive education requirement (see above). 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.
Additional information
To ensure you receive consideration for this Postdoctoral Research Associate position, you must read the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement, in its entirety, to ensure you submit all required documentation.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
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".
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. 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" button to the right.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
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.
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) other qualifications.
You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; 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 the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's 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. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
If claiming 10-point veteran's 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 visit FEDSHIREVETS
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.
AS AN APPLICANT FOR A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION, YOU MUST ALSO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR APPLICATION:
One-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation
CV 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.
List of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.
NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.
How To apply
Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number listed below:
Mail: Dr. Kayla Altendorf
USDA, ARS, PWA, FSCRU
24106 N Bunn Rd
Prosser, WA 99350 E-mail: Kayla.Altendorf@usda.gov Fax: (541)-738-4160
If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files. They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.
Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
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.
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) other qualifications.
You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; 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 the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's 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. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
If claiming 10-point veteran's 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 visit FEDSHIREVETS
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.
AS AN APPLICANT FOR A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION, YOU MUST ALSO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR APPLICATION:
One-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation
CV 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.
List of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.
NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.
How To apply
Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number listed below:
Mail: Dr. Kayla Altendorf
USDA, ARS, PWA, FSCRU
24106 N Bunn Rd
Prosser, WA 99350 E-mail: Kayla.Altendorf@usda.gov Fax: (541)-738-4160
If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files. They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.
