This position is with the Crop Germplasm Research Unit in College Station, TX. 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.

Duties

Conduct of pathogenic research on pecan (Carya spp.) that threatens or could compromise pecan production, pecan sales and marketing, and/or pecan exports; Use modern techniques such as genomics, molecular genetics, and digital phenotyping to measure disease severity, detect internal and surface pathogens, and characterize the genetic basis of disease resistance; Use the genetic diversity of pecan in the National Repository of Genetic Resources for Pecans and Hickories (NCGR-Carya) to identify pecan accessions that are resistant and tolerant to endemic and emerging diseases; Collaborates with stakeholders and University researchers to coordinate pecan disease research priorities and objectives. Collaboratively develops proposals and conducts research for critical research needs of pecan; Collect, analyze, and interprets technical information pertaining pecan diseases. Provide fiscal management of extramural grants that support on-going research; Publish peer-reviewed manuscripts in professional articles, publications, and technical abstracts pertaining to disease loss in pecans with individuals, government officials, scientific and academic communities, scientific organizations.

Requirements

• 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
• 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. Transcripts are required to determine if you meet the education requirement. Minimum qualification requirements are found in the OPM Qualification Standards Operating Manual for General Schedule Positions. Basic Requirements Plant Pathology (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: Plant pathology (aka Phytopathology), or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on plant pathology. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, botany, genetics, plant physiology, molecular and cellular genetics, and microbiology that involved cross-training in plant pathology, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on plant pathology. Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in plant pathology may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in plant pathology in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying. Courses dealing with plant pathology (aka phytopathology), some aspect of plant pathology, or specific techniques that are applied in plant pathology work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant pathology, mycology, bacteriology, molecular and cellular biology, virology, mathematics, statistics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with viral, bacterial, fungal culture and identification. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic course in plant pathology, plant virology, plant bacteriology, and mycology are also acceptable. Specialized Experience In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements for each grade as stated below: GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: Experience with plant pathology and genomics; Experience in conducting analysis of plant disease transmission, plant disease quantification, and working with nut-tree orchards; Experience developing information or providing technical support to research projects; Publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals; Presenting information to professional societies within and outside of the organization in the area of specialization. GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 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-13 level of this position are: Being recognized through citation as a major contributor to projects, or peer-reviewed publications and papers in the identified field of research; Producing publications as the primary author that are of interest and value to the field of research as evidenced by citation score; Conceiving and formulating research ideas that support or produce studies by others resulting in extramural-funded research opportunities; Recognized in the field of plant pathology as a scientist solving important scientific problems with a national scope; Being invited to present information to professional societies within and outside of the organization on technical matters and practices in the area of specialization. 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.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Kent Amott
• Phone: 970-492-7037
• Email: [email protected]