The position is with the Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit which is affiliated with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture (IHA) in College Station, TX. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact are evaluated with grade level limited only by the demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Duties

Perform leading research using precision nutrition to identify solutions to make individuals healthier and reduce overall annual healthcare costs; Plan and conduct studies to analyze and understand complex data for use in supporting responsive agricultural and precision nutrition that enhance human, environmental and economic health outcomes; Seeks and develops collaborations with university, industry, and government scientists; Conducts both independent and multi-disciplinary, team-based research and analyzes experimental data, composes manuscripts for publication of experimental results, and presents information at scientific meetings and at other research institutions; Manage a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources following agency?s mission and scientific procedures, requirements and protocols; Supervise employees, to include setting performance standards, monitoring performance and guiding subordinates.

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
• 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

The incumbent serves as a USDA, ARS Plains Area Research Leader, under the administrative management of the Area Director of the USDA, ARS Plains Area, leading the Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit in College Station, Texas. This USDA, ARS position is co-located with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture (IHA). This institute's vision is to forge linkages between food and health through responsive agriculture and precision nutrition, spanning a variety of research disciplines to identify solutions to make individuals healthier and to reduce overall annual healthcare costs. Moreover, the research campus is recognized as a premier research entity in agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences; and conducts studies that deliver impactful findings throughout Texas and around the world. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Due to the education requirement for each series listed below transcripts are required to be considered qualified. Minimum qualification requirements are found in the OPM Qualification Standards Operating Manual for General Schedule Positions. Basic Requirements Biologist 0401 - Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource 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. Nutritionist 0630 - Applicants must meet one of the following requirements for all grade levels: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the fields of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science. The educational program must have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (external link) (ACEND), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. For dietitian positions, the curriculum must have been in accordance with the qualifying requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) (external link) (formerly American Dietetic Association (external link) (ADA) prior to January 1, 2012) in effect at the time of graduation. Completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved by AND (formerly ADA) for dietitians or nutritionists. Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Note: Employees currently assigned to positions in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered to have met the basic requirements for the position occupied. 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 in A 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. Specialized Experience 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: Documented research experience improving the link between food and health through responsive agriculture and precision nutrition; Conceiving and formulating research ideas that advance the field of science or is used as a reference by other scientists; Experience participating in Symposia that define the state of the discipline or introduce new areas in the field; Experience managing a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; Experience supervising employees, to include setting performance standards, monitoring performance and guiding subordinates. 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 in research and reputation serve as a recruiting tool to your organization; Leading research to improve the link between food and health through responsive agriculture and precision nutrition; Experience in research had led to national/international recognition as an authority and leader in the field; Experience in research has led to awards, honors, or other recognition from major national and international organizations; Experience managing a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; Experience supervising employees, to include setting performance standards, monitoring performance and guiding subordinates. 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. 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. 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]