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Biological Science Specialist

Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The selectee is not required to report to a government office, however, the option to work in one of the Agency offices may be available.

In this position, you will serve as a National Program Leader (NPL) and administer research, education, and extension programs that address national agriculture priorities.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/28/2023 to 03/31/2023
This job will close when we have received 175 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$98,496 to - $151,308 per year

Salary listed is based on the Rest of United States pay scale and may be adjusted upon selection.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NIFA-DH23Y-11900572-MDK
Control number
715428900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

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  • Initiates, networks, and collaborates with partners and stakeholders to identify mission-relevant problems, opportunities, and issues requiring Federal attention.
  • Conceives, formulates, and executes programs competitive grant programs and activities to respond to existing or emerging problems, opportunities, priorities and issues for development.
  • Applies science-based knowledge to evaluate policy and develop and implement programs in collaboration with universities and other partners.
  • Evaluates and assesses the quality, outcomes and impacts of NIFA programs.
  • Promotes the research, education and extension portfolio to advance the strategic goals and management objectives of NIFA and the administration.
  • Actively engages in multi-Institute trans-disciplinary teams to address mission critical priorities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • 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/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Basic Education Requirements
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND
In addition to the basic requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

GS-13
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-13 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-12 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience conducting research or teaching associated with any of the following: nutrition with an emphasis on nutrition science and community nutrition; nutrition across the food supply chain; food and nutrition security; training and implementation of related areas; and assisting in the development of research proposals to support innovative research in any of the above mentioned areas.

GS-14
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-14 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience developing research proposals to support innovative research in nutrition science and community nutrition, nutrition across the food supply chain, and food and nutrition security; providing guidance and leadership in multidisciplinary research programs; and authoring publications related in any of the mentioned areas.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
  • Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given a new appointment to the civil service. For information on benefits available to federal employees, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/New-Prospective-Employees/ Please see the Benefits section below for additional information.
  • If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
  • Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of Agriculture. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
  • This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit Agreement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct Hire Authority position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veterans' preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.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.

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.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11900572

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