Department: Department Of Agriculture

Agency: Agricultural Research Service

Sub Agency: U.S. Grain Marketing Research Laboratory

Job Announcement Number: ARS-X6W-0292

 

Overview

 

Interdisciplinary: Supervisory Research Chemist/Research Food Technologist/Research Biologist/Research Geneticist

 

 

Who May Be Considered:

Applications will be accepted from United States citizens and nationals.

 

Job Summary:

Seeking a permanent, full-time scientist with demonstrated expertise in either cereal chemistry, biochemistry, and/or analytical chemistry to serve as Research Leader.

 

This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and background investigation.  Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check.  Retention in the position is based on a favorable adjudication of the background investigation.  The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.

 

You must include a statement in your application that you are a U.S. citizen.

 

Key Requirements:

 

Duties

 

Major Duties:

The incumbent serves as Research Leader (RL) of the Grain Quality and Structure Research Unit (GQSRU) including the ARS Regional Hard Winter Wheat Quality laboratory (HWWQL) located at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, KS.  The incumbent is responsible for formulating, leading, and guiding the broad research areas conducted by various scientists of the Unit and for coordinating this work with other sectors including universities other government laboratories and agencies, and the milling and baking industries.  Advises leaders in the farming industry, milling and baking industries, and state and federal action/regulatory agencies on technical and practical matters related to cereal crop quality problems, milling and baking quality, and grain quality measurement. 

 

Qualifications and Evaluation

 

Qualifications:

Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.

 

Basic Requirements:

Research Chemist  (1320):  Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, OR

Combination of education and experience – course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

 

Research Food Technologist (1382):  Degree: food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science.  The course work must have been comprised of at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and physical sciences, and included at least 20 semester hours in subjects that can be applied directly to food technology, OR

Combination of education and experience – courses equivalent to a major, including the course work specified, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

 

Research Biologist (0401):  Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, OR

Combination of education and experience – Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

 

Research Geneticist (0440):  Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics.

 

This position has a positive education requirement.  You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position.  If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.  If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.

 

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.   Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

 

Additional Requirements:

 

GS-14: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level.

GS-15: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level.

 

This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and background investigation.  Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check.  Retention in the position is based on a favorable adjudication of the background investigation.  The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.

 

Time-In-Grade Restrictions apply for all candidates considered under Merit Promotion/Alternative Merit Promotion.

 

Specialized Experience is experience which has equipped you with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - 'KSAs' required to perform the duties of this position: 

 

1.  Knowledge of cereal chemistry, and chemical composition related to end-use performance in cereal grains.

2.  Skill in establishing research program goals and managing resources, including fiscal planning and accountability. 

3.  Ability to lead a multidisciplinary research team, and interact with high level officials in government, industry, and universities; customers, partners, stakeholders, and support personnel.

4.  Ability to conceive, plan, conduct, and report research results in scientific, peer-reviewed journals.

 

Supervisory/Managerial Competencies:

1.      Ability to lead and accomplish work through others (i.e. team building, conflict management, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, technology management, and political saavy.

       2.    Ability to communicate with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations.

 

To be considered for a research scientist position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation.  Also, submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your status, 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.

 

Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected.  A peer review may be required to determine the appropriate grade level of the position and supplemental materials may be required from the selectee.

 

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.

 

 

How Will You Be Evaluated:

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualifications required, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with this position as defined above under 'Specialized Experience.'  The Agricultural Research Service uses a category rating process.  Based on evaluation of all written materials submitted in application for the position, you will be determined to be Ineligible, if you do not meet eligibility and/or minimum qualifications criteria; Eligible, if you meet all eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria; OR Quality, if you meet quality criteria in addition to eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria.  For information about how to address KSAs, please visit our website at www.ars.usda.gov/careers, click on 'How to Apply,' then click on 'What are those KSAs anyway?'  For more information about the evaluation process, please visit our website at:  www.ars.usda.gov/careers, click on 'How to Apply,' then click on the link to 'Qualifications and What They Mean.'

 

 

Benefits and Other Information

 

Benefits:

A Benefits Package is authorized for this position.  Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.htm.

 

 

Other Information:

 

Veteran’s Preference:

For further details, call the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 703-724-1850 or TDD 978-461-8404.  Select General Information on the Federal

Employment Policies and Procedures, and then Veteran’s Preference and Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans.  Visit their VetGuide website at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.

 

Relocation Expenses:

Payment of relocation expenses will be determined in accordance with P&P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 and 7, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, which may be found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/412-05.htm#H10.  See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

 

Financial Disclosure Requirement:

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 will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter. 

 

False statements:

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not

be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

 

Optional Form 306, (Declaration for Federal Employment):

If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete this form before an offer may be made.

 

USDA Surplus/Federal Displaced Employees:

USDA Surplus/Federal displaced employees must submit documentary evidence of eligibility.  Well qualified surplus and displaced employees within the local commuting area will receive selection priority as provided by OPM regulations.  Well-qualified means the applicant meets the basic qualification and eligibility requirements and all selective placement factors; is rated above minimally qualified against the KSAs or quality criteria; and is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.  Applicants must submit the following:

1)      a copy of your RIF Separation Notice or Certification of Expected Separation or other documentation indicating that you are a surplus employee;

2)      evidence of full performance level of current position;

3)      a copy of your most recent performance appraisal; and

4)     a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, to

verify reassignment eligibility.

 

Selective Service System:

Males over age 18 who were born after December 31, 1959, must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for Federal employment.

 

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information:

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD). 

 

 

How to Apply

 

How to Apply:

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number, but they must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date.

 

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

 

If hand delivered, be sure your application is received in the Human Resources Division on or before closing date.

 

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

 

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

 

__ Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications (Go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to obtain the OF-612).

The following information is required of all applicants:

__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

 

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

 

__ Social security number

 

__ Statement that you are a U.S. citizen (if not using the OF-612)

 

__Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) (only if claiming veteran’s preference) (Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp

 

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran’s Preference) plus the support documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran’s preference) (Go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain form.)

 

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position.  For each period of work experience include:

 

          ___Job title

 

          ___Series/grade (if Federal employment)

 

          ___Duties and accomplishments

 

          ___Employer’s name and address

 

          ___Supervisor’s name and contact information

 

          ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year)

 

          ___Number of hours worked per week

 

          ___Salary

 

          ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

 

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.)

 

          ___Certificates/licenses (current)

 

          ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments

 

          ___Supplemental questionnaire if applicable

                (usually for Federal Wage System positions - WG, WL, WS)

 

__ Copy of college transcripts (if qualifying all or in part on the basis of education for this position) (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading “Other Education” for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

 

__ Copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify possession of competitive civil service status (if you are a current or previous federal employee)

 

__ Copy of most recent performance appraisal (if you are a current federal employee)

 

__ Second copy of application package IF you are a candidate with competitive status.  (NOTE:  All status candidates who wish to be considered under both alternative merit promotion and non-status competitive examining must submit two (2) complete applications when the position is open to both status and non-status candidates.  When only one (1) application is received, it will be considered under the alternative merit promotion procedures if the applicant is a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility.)

 

__ Support documentation for eligibility for special hiring authorities, such as disability, Peace Corps service, etc.  (If you have questions about whether you are eligible for a particular hiring authority, please call the servicing HR specialist or visit the web site at http://www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/default.asp .

 

__ Support documentation if you are a USDA surplus or federal displaced employee (See pertinent section under “Other Important Information” below.

 

__ Self-certification of typing speed (if required as a basic qualification for the position)

 

__ While not required, a separate response to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs listed under Specialized Experience) and Selective Placement Factor(s), if present, for this position may better highlight your specific qualifications for this position.  (For an explanation of KSAs, go to the web site at http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/whatksa.html).

 

As an Applicant for a Research Scientist Position, you must also submit the following:

 

__  A one-page abstract of MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation

 

__  A resume of 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 invitations); and publications.

 

__  A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.

 

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about  various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to access the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Optional Form 510.

 

Location Contact Information:  Janette Jensen (785) 776-2737

 

 

Contact Information:

            Keli A. Martin

            Phone: 301-504-1584

            Fax: 301-504-1535

            TDD: 202-855-1234

            Internet: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV

           

            Or Write:

            Department Of Agriculture

            USDA-REE-ARS-HRD/ARS-X6W-0292

            5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop #5106

            Beltsville MD 20705-5106

            US

 

 

What to Expect Next:

Applicants will receive written confirmation from this office when their application package is received.

 

After the application has been received, applicants will not be notified of the status of their paperwork until a final selection has been made.