The incumbent is a member of the Senior Science and Technology Service (SSTS) and serves as a scientist and Director of the Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center in the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) located in Stoneville, MS. The research represents various scientific disciplines aiming to increase efficiency to produce and process agricultural products and sustain the critical natural resource base that benefit farmers and consumers and the ecosystem upon which they depend.

Duties

Actively serves in a leadership role for research program planning and implementing the overall research missions, goals, and policies in the Southeast Area, primarily responsible for these activities at JWDSRC. Keeps the Area Director fully informed of the units’ programs and related considerations having a significant bearing on the development of research priorities and projections, budgets, and use of facilities based on the needs of JWDSRC. Provides leadership in developing and coordinating research program financial projections. Evaluates and consolidates budgetary requests to meet program objectives within the existing resources. Provides leadership, direction and approach to identify research needs of stakeholders and reviews research plans for Research Leaders. Forecasts the resources required and projections of time required to make advances that impact research. Leads and targets the science mission and direction of Research Leaders in the JWDSRC and evaluates the effectiveness of program operations. Provides leadership to foster and develop cooperative relationships to increase the effectiveness of scientific programs and explores partnerships. Has responsibility for ensuring the quality of all Research Project proposals and their preparation for external review coordinated by the OSQR. Has responsibility for administrative oversight for institutional biosafety and animal use and care programs. Provides the Area Director and other officials with advice on highly technical problems in transdisciplinary programs conducted at JWDSRC. Supports the Agency programs concerning human care and use of all vertebrate animals. Proactively partners and communicates with all local, regional, and national stakeholders to identify stakeholder needs and improve stakeholder support.

Requirements

• Veterans Preference is applicable in the Senior Science and Technology Service.
• Initial appointments are required to serve a 1-year probationary period
• You must submit written statements in response to the SSTS Professional Recognition Documentation Form.
• Background Investigation required.
• U.S. Citizenship, nationals of those who owe allegiance to the US is required.

Qualifications

- Have conducted outstanding research in the fields of animal or plant science, as determined by a Qualifications Assessment Board; - Have earned a doctoral level degree at an institution of higher education [as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 u.s.c. 1001)]; - Have national or international recognition authority and leadership in an area of widespread scientific interest and investigation; and - Meet the qualification standards prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for appointment to a position at the GS-15 level of the General Schedule.

Education

For 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Rhonda Pratt
• Phone: 202-260-8724
• Email: [email protected]