The incumbent is a Research Agronomist/Plant Physiologist/Biologist assigned to the Dairy Forage Research Unit (DFRU) of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC), Madison, WI. This position is located in USDA- ARS laboratory research facilities in Madison, WI, with field research carried out at the USDA-ARS research farm in Prairie Du Sac, WI, and other locations.

Duties

Conducts research using sophisticated skills and knowledge of plant physiology, agronomy, plant pathology, and soil science to improve alfalfa management, and developing strategies to reduce winterkill and improve persistence of alfalfa. Determines management and biotic and abiotic stress factors. Develops management and mitigation strategies to reduce winterkill and improve persistence of alfalfa. Collaborates with other ARS, university, and private sector scientists to build a multi-disciplinary team necessary for this research. Analyzes, interprets, and disseminates the findings in the form of reports, presentations, and publications in scientific journals.

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

This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series/position titles listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must submit proof that they meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Minimum qualification requirements are found in the OPM Qualification Standards Operating Manual for General Schedule Positions. Qualification requirements must be identified for each grade level advertised. Basic Requirements General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401 Individual Occupational Requirements 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 (1) above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Plant Physiology Series 0435 Degree: botany or plant physiology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 10 semester hours in plant physiology. Agronomy Series, 0471 Degree: agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management. OR Combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown in (1) above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (e.g., biology, agronomy, or plant physiology) OR one-year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are: Experience in conducting research to evaluate agronomic, physiological, or biological function within plants or investigate abiotic or biotic stress in alfalfa, forage crops, or other agronomic crops; and Experience publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to biology, plant physiology, and/or agronomy. GS-13: Applicants must have one-year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are: Experience in conducting independent and collaborative research to evaluate agronomic, physiological, or biological function within plants or investigate abiotic or biotic stress in alfalfa, forage crops, or other agronomic crops. Experience with agronomic research plot management, data collection and analysis methodology for plant and soil samples; and Publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to yield, disease impacts, r persistence of forages or other agronomic crops. 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. 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Jessica Lang
• Phone: 3092731525
• Email: [email protected]