Supervisory Research Geneticist (Plant)/Plant Pathologist

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
Opening and closing dates07/14/2021 to 07/20/2021
Service

Competitive

Pay scale & grade

GS 14 - 15

Salary
$108,885 to $166,502 per year
Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time
Duties SummaryThis position is located within USDA, Agricultural Research Service's Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research Unit in Pullman, Washington. The selectee will serve as a Research Leader for a project entitled Management of Priority Legume, Oilseed, Forage Grass, Sugar, Ornamental, and Medicinal Plant Genetic Resources and Associated Information.Please note that this announcement was updated to reflect that applicants may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses.ResponsibilitiesServes as Research Leader of the Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research Unit, also known as the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS), Pullman, Washington.Supervises a multidisciplinary research and service team of six scientists, three staff members, and three technicians and is second-line supervisor for several technicians.Has project leadership and fund holder responsibility for three projects with a combined annual budget of $3.2 million.Serves as the WRPIS Station Coordinator with responsibility of coordinating the operations (planning, executing and reporting) of a complex Western Regional Project W-6. Contributions are of national and international scope.Serves as Lead Scientist for a project entitled Management of Priority Legume, Oilseed, Forage Grass, Sugar, Ornamental, and Medicinal Plant Genetic Resources and Associated Information.Responsible for directing plant genetic resource management, research and interpreting and reporting all results involving cool season food legume and vegetable plant genetic resources.Conducts independent research on plant genetic resource management, genetic characterization, evaluation (e.g., for host-plant resistances or tolerances) and/or enhancement of priority germplasm collections to promote germplasm utilization.Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status

Yes

Promotion Potential

15
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou must be a US Citizen or US NationalMales born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exemptSubject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint checkSubject 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.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/.Successful completion of a three year probationary period. 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 Requirements:Genetics 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 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.Plant Pathology Series, 0434:Degree: plant pathology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 20 semester hours in basic botany or plant science, and 10 semester hours in plant pathology.Graduate Education: must have been in plant pathology, or in one of the recognized subject-matter fields of plant pathology, or have followed a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on plant pathology or one of the recognized subject-matter fields of plant pathology, such as those dealing with particular types of pathogens, diseases of particular kinds of crops, or chemical or biological controls. Graduate study in related fields such as microbiology, entomology, plant physiology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, or chemistry may also be qualifying, provided it placed a sufficient amount of emphasis on plant pathology.Evaluation of Education: courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, agronomy, forestry, horticulture, or similar subjects may be used to meet the 20-semester-hour requirement in basic botany or plant science. To meet the specific 10-semester-hour requirement in plant pathology, the courses must have been in plant pathology, or have dealt with specific subject matter areas of plant pathology such as those concerned with viruses, fungal or bacterial diseases, host-plant relationships, biotic or chemical controls, environmental or physiological diseases, parasitic diseases, etc.AND
In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.GS-14:
Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to 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 of this position are: experience overseeing a team focused on plant genetics research; evaluating and enhancing data related to plant genetic resources; and reviewing and publishing research results and findings in peer-reviewed journals.GS-15:
Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to 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 of this position are: experience managing a team focused on plant genetics research; evaluating and enhancing data related to plant genetic resources; reviewing and publishing research results and findings in peer-reviewed journals; and identifying and prioritizing important plant genetic resource management priorities and research approaches by interacting with national commodity groups, industry representatives, university scientists or other stakeholders.
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.
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.Applicants 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.Education
Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
Additional informationCONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter.
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.
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 may be determined by a peer review panel.
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 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. How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.Supervisory/Managerial Competencies - the following KSAs will also be used to evaluate candidates in the interview and selection process:Ability to lead and accomplish work through others (i.e. team building, conflict management, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, technology management, and political savvy.)Ability to communicate with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations.
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.
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:Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance
Not Required
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and riskNoncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate RiskTrust determination processSuitability/FitnessThis job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

The public

U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.