This position is within the Agricultural Research Service Plant Science Research Unit, in Raleigh, NC.

In this position, you will initiate, plan, develop, and conduct research which leads to the fuller understanding of exceptionally complex research on host plant resistance genes and management of host plant resistance of the epidemiology and population dynamics of foliar fungal diseases; and the development of a program for improvement of small grains programs in the Eastern U.S.

Duties

• Leads a program and performs research to develop, evaluate, and apply genetics for germplasm enhancement.
• Develops collaborations and communicates technical information pertaining to identifying, characterizing, and developing germplasm for disease resistance and quality traits.
• Collects, analyzes, summarizes, and publishes technical information pertaining to improved cultivars meeting the needs of conventional and specialty markets for production systems in the Eastern U.S.
• Works closely with important agricultural stakeholders including growers' groups, seed companies, plant breeders and research colleagues to optimally transfer USDA research technology to a broad audience.
• Prepares written work products based on research to be reviewed and/or published in professional articles, publications, and technical abstracts.
• Maintains and enhances the research creativity and productivity of the unit.
• Hires personnel and manages the human, fiscal, and physical resources of the unit.
• Serves as the unit fund holder.
• Provides technical information and consultation, both internal and external, to Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
• Ensures the proper interpretation and reporting of scientific research, results, and information.

Requirements

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.
• 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.
• 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 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 plant breeding, 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.

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 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.

1. 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.
2. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable.

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.

Additional Requirements: 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 leading a research project focused on plant genetics or genomics, plant breeding, or plant pathology that contribute to genetic improvement of crops; evaluating and enhancing data that increase the understanding of genetic control of crop productivity, quality, or biotic stress resistance; and presenting or publishing research results focused on plant genetics or genomics, plant breeding, or plant pathology that support genetic improvement of crops.

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 leading or managing a team for a research project focused on plant genetics or genomics, plant breeding, or plant pathology that contribute to genetic improvement of crops; evaluating and enhancing data that increase the understanding of genetic control of crop productivity, quality, or biotic stress resistance; presenting or publishing research results focused on plant genetics or genomics, plant breeding, or plant pathology that support genetic improvement of crops; and identifying and prioritizing important plant genetic or pathology research 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.