The employee will support the Sothern Research Station, Research Work Unit 4552 and is responsible for utilizing approaches from a broad toolkit to conduct integrative research addressing native and non-native pathogen ecology, biology, and management, and to develop research-based recommendations to prevent, contain and mitigate pathogens in southern forest communities. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact James Vogt at [email protected].

Duties

Conceive, develop, and plan, conduct, report, and disseminate individual research aligned with the unit’s mission to forward the understanding and management of native and invasive plant pathogens in the United States. Utilize multiple disciplines to identify and conduct research on invasive and/or emerging pathogens of management importance, and to contextualize research-results from complex issues. Cross problem areas (non-native insects, invasive plants), when known interactions of multiple invasive species occur, or if relevant questions arise concerning biological control to preserve native or manage non-native plant species. Integrate major disciplines into individual research approaches and methodologies. Facilitate internal collaborative relationships looking for opportunities to add needed expertise to studies and to add value to other studies. Seek and respond to requests for proposals on development and application of pathogen-related research, tools, and models and develops and manages grants and agreements to leverage assistance, support, and funding of research programs. Present concepts and research results to diverse groups such as scientists, federal and state agency managers, tribal representatives, universities, and non-governmental organizations. Assemble, interpret, and disseminate data and information to provide basic direction and priorities for land management activities. Assemble technical information, performs analyses, prepares technical reports, and provides leadership in writing peer-reviewed journal papers. Serve informally as an advisor and consultant to federal and state organizations, and forest industry on pest management issues related to regeneration problems. Supervisory responsibilities constitute 10 percent or more less of the employee’s time.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.

Qualifications

This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. 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 will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position. Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement, or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae. In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Education Requirement for 0434 Plant Pathologist Series: 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 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). Specialized experience for this position includes the following: Conducting the full cycle of scientific research with defined objectives, limited in scope to investigating specific phenomena or problems, or are segments of related investigations. Research at this level requires fairly conventional techniques and involves applying existing theory or methods to areas previously investigated, but under different conditions, or involves adapting previous studies in light of changes in theory or improved techniques and instrumentation and result in contributions that add to scientific and professional knowledge or support developing new or improved methods and techniques. This research must have been in one or more of the following areas: : understanding and management of native and invasive plant pathogens in the United States. identify and conduct research on invasive and/or emerging pathogens of management importance, and to contextualize research-results from complex issues; plant resistance to pathogens; modeling hazard from plant pathogens;Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and contributing to results published in peer-reviewed journals;Collaborating and building partnerships with researchers; and Funding scientific research through external funding sources. For the GS-12: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Specialized experience for this position includes the following: Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: understanding and management of native and invasive plant pathogens in the United States. identify and conduct research on invasive and/or emerging pathogens of management importance, and to contextualize research-results from complex issues; cross problem areas (non-native insects, invasive plants), such as known interactions of multiple invasive species occur, or concerning biological control to preserve native or manage non-native plant species; Forming, leading, and participating in research teams, regional, and/or national importance; Securing funding for scientific research through a variety of external funding sources; and Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. For the GS-13: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 level. Specialized experience for this position includes the following: Conducting a diversity or body of research in plant disease development and spread, and developing management practices and recommendations for disease control as a Principal Investigator or project member on multiple studies that include the full cycle of scientific research (i.e. identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) as it pertains to: understanding and management of native and invasive plant pathogens in the United States. identify and conduct research on invasive and/or emerging pathogens of management importance, and to contextualize research-results from complex issues; cross problem areas (non-native insects, invasive plants), such as known interactions of multiple invasive species occur, or concerning biological control to preserve native or manage non-native plant species; andDeveloping and disseminating research findings in collaboration with resource managers and planners for presentation at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

QUALIFYING GRADUATE LEVEL EDUCATION:

• GS-11: Conferred Master's degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is plant disease development and spread, and developing management practices and recommendations for disease control and/or includes coursework in areas such as phytopathology, mycology, nematology, tree anatomy and physiology, entomology, ecology and forestry, understanding of forest nursery and seed orchard operations, forestry practices and the forest ecosystems in which specific diseases develop and spread.

GS-12: Conferred Ph.D. degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is plant disease development and spread, and developing management practices and recommendations for disease control and/or includes coursework in areas such as phytopathology, mycology, nematology, tree anatomy and physiology, entomology, ecology and forestry, understanding of forest nursery and seed orchard operations, forestry practices and the forest ecosystems in which specific diseases develop and spread.

NOTE! At the GS- 13 grade level, include the following language: Graduate level education alone is not qualifying at this grade level. To qualify at this grade, you must possess the specialized experience listed above.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]