SummaryThis position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Tropical Agricultural Research Station (TARS), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
DutiesHelp
- Lead a broad and complex research effort to determine plant responses to physical and biological interactions affecting yield performance and product quality of tropical tree crops.
- Characterize, evaluate, increase, preserve, and conduct phytosanitary assessments for quarantined grain genetic resources and for the National Plant Germplasm System.
- Maintain and enhance creativity and productivity of the research station.
- Manage human, fiscal, and physical resources assigned to the station.
- Serve as fund holder by managing program funds, monitoring obligations and expenditures, and ensuring adherence to federal fiscal policies.
- Provide technical information and consultation to internal and external customers to the Tropical Agriculture Research Station.
- Ensure proper interpretation and reporting of scientific research results and information.
- Evaluate and recommend project changes.
RequirementsHelp
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 a three-year probationary period. Please refer to "Next Steps" for additional information.
- Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
QualificationsApplicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below:
In addition to the Education Requirements in the section below, applicants must also meet the following Specialized Experience Requirements:GS-14 Grade LevelSpecialized Experience: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level are: experience leading a research program related to plant science; publishing plant research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting research findings at professional meetings; managing funds on research grants; and ensuring the development of well-trained scientific and technical staff.
GS-15 Grade LevelSpecialized Experience: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level are: experience formulating, executing, and leading a collaborative research program related to plant science; publishing plant research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting research findings at domestic and international scientific meetings; providing guidance to technicians and stakeholders in accomplishing research objectives; developing collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders; and serving as Principal Investigator on a collaborative research grant.
To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; 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 invitation); and publications.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.
Please see below for education qualification requirement information.EducationBasic Education Requirements for Geneticist Series, 0440:Degree: Genetics; or one of the Basic Biological Sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in Genetics.
Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as plant breeding, agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics.
Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying.
- Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation.
- Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable.
Basic Education Requirements for Plant Physiology Series, 0435:Degree: Botany or Plant Physiology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 10 semester hours in Plant Physiology.
Evaluation of Education: The 10-semester-hour requirement in plant physiology is specific. Course work is qualifying if it dealt with plant physiology, some phase of plant physiology, or methods and techniques applied in plant physiology work. Other course work in borderline areas should be evaluated on the basis of content.
Basic Education Requirements for Horticulture Series, 0437:Degree: Horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences.
The 16-semester-hour requirement in horticulture includes course work in basic horticulture and course work related to any of the recognized subject-matter fields of horticulture, i.e., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery work, seed production, or course work in related areas of science, such as micro-biology, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, or genetics that is directly related to horticultural work.
Additional informationApplicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Supervisory/Managerial Competencies - the following KSAs will also be used to evaluate candidates in the interview and selection process:1. Ability to lead and accomplish work through others (i.e. team building, conflict management, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, technology management, and political savvy.)
2. Ability to communicate with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series/position titles listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must submit proof that they meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements.
Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. 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 may be determined by a peer review panel.
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 71 out of a possible 100.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official.
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.
This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
BenefitsHelp
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.
