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Research Biologist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located with the Northern Research Station, in Madison, WI.

This scientist is assigned to collaborative research and development activities focused on the improvement of management decisions for reducing the negative impacts of forest and wildlife disease and other forest health issues related to high-priority fungi.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Dr. Daniel Lindner at daniel.l.lindner@usda.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/02/2023 to 06/15/2023
Salary
$82,830 to - $82,830 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Madison, WI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel to other Forest Service offices, field locations or to attend other professional meetings.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None - Please see the qualifications section of this announcement for "Promotion Potential" details.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-RES-11972288-DDHA-IC
Control number
728392100

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 under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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Duties

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  • Plans and conducts research that will apply mycology, plant pathology and related fields to benefit the health and resiliency of forest resources.
  • Lead in grant proposal preparation and planning, organizing, coordinating, conducting, collecting/ recording data, analyzing data, interpreting data, and reporting research as related to the CFMR.
  • Adapt and apply existing techniques to address defined issues related to mycology and forest pathology, such as interactions among pathogens, animals, microbial communities, host trees, and the biotic/abiotic environment.
  • Obtain specific information on fungi, such as pathogens of trees and wildlife, that will help with management of forest and wildlife populations.
  • Obtain information on symbiotic fungi, which are part of complex ecological interactions among forest trees and the biotic/abiotic components of forest ecosystems.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Completion of a three-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if employee will be retained.
  • 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.

Qualifications

This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. Final grade level will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position.

Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement, or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae.
To qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Provide undergraduate and graduate level transcripts to document your education. Attach university course descriptions to clarify content of coursework as necessary.

Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade (salary) if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position.

Basic Education Requirement for 0401 Biological Science Series:

  1. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
-OR-
  1. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience or directly related graduate education in the amounts listed below.

Minimum Qualifications Requirement for GS-12:
One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Specialized experience at this level is defined as all of the following:
  • Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: basic and applied research in mycology,, forest pathology and related aspects of microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, botany and forest ecology; roles of forest fungi in pathology, biodiversity, tree nutrition and biogeochemistry.
  • Developing research tools and coordinating research teams that address specific solutions to problems that involve high-priority fungi for restoring or maintaining healthy ecosystems.
  • Forming, leading, and participating in research teams, regional, and/or national importance.
  • Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
-OR-

Graduate Level Education: A conferred Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is improve understanding of problems that involve high-priority fungi as relates to forest function and to develop strategies and tools to assess, protect, and improve forest health and productivity and/or includes coursework in areas such as mycology, botany, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, and forest ecology. Transcripts must show conferral of degree to qualify solely on education.

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, knowledge, and skills 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

See above for required graduate level education that may be qualifying.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

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 Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

This is not a bargaining unit position.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

How you will be evaluated

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

A Direct-Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, including any applicable selective placement factor(s), will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the application documents are reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. Final grade level will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position.

Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement, or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect whether you are considered. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11972288

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