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Molecular Biologist - Plant Pathology

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
This job announcement has closed

Summary

If selected, you will serve as an authority in developing molecular and biochemical methods for diagnosis of plant pests and provides final identification of plant pathogens and other plant pests based on sophisticated state-of-the-art molecular and biochemical techniques for detecting, identifying, and differentiating plant pests, especially plant pathogens that threaten U.S. agriculture.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/07/2025 to 07/11/2025
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$84,601 to - $131,826 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Beltsville, MD
2 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DH-12757504-25-PQ
Control number
840072400

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.

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Duties

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  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Develops, modifies, adapts, and validates molecular and biochemical detection/diagnostic methods to identify newly introduced/emerging plant pathogens.
  • Manages all aspects of scientific projects (planning, execution, reporting budget and deliverables), trains and manage assignments for support staff for timely project completion.
  • Responsible for making final, authoritative molecular identification of plant pathogens and other plant pests of regulatory or quarantine importance for PPQ.
  • Confers with national and international taxonomic and/or molecular scientists to apply collective data in determining the identity of samples.
  • Searches, reviews, and evaluates current foreign and domestic scientific literature and contacts colleagues for information on new diagnostic testing techniques.
  • Evaluates benefit and feasibility of adopting or adapting the new technology for Agency use and makes recommendations to appropriate Agency managers.
  • Provides scientific information and recommendations to technical field personnel and informs them of new diagnostic techniques.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male 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/
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
  • The incumbent may work at times in a Bio-safety Level 3 agriculture facility that will require changing clothes into work-suits. APHIS and State policy requires changing clothing upon entry and showering prior to exit of the facility.
  • The incumbent could encounter plant pathogens of high risk or Select Agents outlined in the 7 CFR 331 that will require the incumbent to submit to an FBI background investigation.

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 REQUIREMENT:

Degree:
biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must meet the following qualification requirement.

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Applying principles of virology, plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or other related sciences to study, characterize and identify plant pathogens.
  • Planning and managing projects and collaborating with other scientists to address research and technological needs related to plant pathogens and plant health.
  • Using molecular and serological methods including microorganism isolation, nucleic acid extraction, various PCR and RT-PCR methods, isothermal amplification, nucleic acid sequencing and data analysis, ELISA and other.
  • Analyzing, summarizing, and communicating technical/scientific data and information, both orally and in writing, to academic and professional audience.
OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Applying principles of virology, plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or other related sciences to develop, evaluate and validate methods for detection and identification of plant pathogens.
  • Initiating, planning and leading scientific investigations, managing projects, and collaborating with other scientists to address research, technological or programmatic needs that have an impact on plant health programs.
  • Using advanced molecular and serological methods including sample processing, microorganism isolation, nucleic acid extraction, various PCR and RT-PCR methods, isothermal amplification, Sanger and high throughput sequencing and data analysis, ELISA and other.
  • Analyzing, summarizing, and communicating technical/scientific data and information, both orally and in writing, to academic, industry, internal and external stakeholders or general public audiences.
  • Delivering technical training and managing support staff to accomplish project or operational goals and deliverables.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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 well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • At the GS-11/12 levels, this position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the National Association of Agriculture Employees (NAAE). (this position is non-bargaining at the GS-13 level)
  • Promotion Potential: 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.
  • Work Environment: Work is normally in a laboratory or office. Working with toxic chemical agents is common in a laboratory setting.
  • Physical Demands: Work requires periods of moderate exertion in terms of moving supplies and equipment to conduct research, and repetitive bench work. Since APHIS responds to agricultural emergencies, if within the incumbent's scope of work and when appropriate, the incumbent may experience long work hours, weekend work, and travel. The incumbent may travel domestically and internationally and must be capable of handling personal luggage.

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 specialized experience and/or selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 to receive selection priority. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, your application is 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.
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 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.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12757504

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