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Research Entomologist (Research Associate)

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA), San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center (SJVASC), Crop Diseases, Pests & Genetics Research Unit (CDPG) in Parlier, CA and will provide research support focusing on identification and exploitation of behavioral weaknesses for development of control methods for arthropod pests of grapevine.


**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR JUNE 06, 2023**

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
12/06/2022 to 06/06/2023
Salary
$66,214 to - $86,074 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Parlier, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Not to Exceed 2 years may be extended up to 4 years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
ARS-RA22PWA-11755944-MDS
Control number
693049000

Duties

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  • Incumbent will be responsible for elucidating fundamental aspects of vibrational communication in arthropods
  • Incumbent will use innovative methodologies to determine structure/function of vibrational signals, developing procedures suitable for interference with arthropod communication
  • Incumbent will apply knowledge gained from such studies towards effective pest management strategies to mitigate losses resulting from pest infestation of important crops and landscape plants.
  • The objectives are to 1) identify and describe vibrational signals used in intraspecific communication of arthropods;
  • 2) collect and analyze communication signals using laser Doppler vibrometers and associated software; and
  • 3) assist with laboratory and field studies to improve transmission of disruptive vibrational signals to crops and surrounding vegetation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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

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.

Basic Qualifications for GS-0414:

  1. Degree: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology.
OR
  1. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Education: Applicants with major fields of study in biology, zoology, or invertebrate zoology may fully meet the basic educational requirements if their academic preparation included substantive instruction (including appropriate laboratory and field work) in basic general entomology, taxonomy, physiology, ecology, general and organic chemistry, general physics, and mathematics or statistics that provided some training in the analysis of variables.

In Addition to the Qualification Requirements outlined above, the incumbent will require the experience and education outlined below.
This position requires a PhD in Entomology, Biology, Ecology or similar field that has equipped the applicant with strong knowledge, analytical skills, and abilities to conduct experiments on arthropod vibrational communication, and conduct spectral and temporal analyses of vibrational signals.


Education

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.

Additional information

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.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

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's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.



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.

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