This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Food Systems Research Unit (FSRU) in Burlington, VT. In this position, you will be responsible for improving the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of Northeast food systems while enhancing human nutrition.

Duties

Collaborates with ARS and University of Vermont scientists and other federal agencies and academic research institutions to identify and quantify the key factors that affect human nutrition and public health within Northeastern U.S. food systems Characterizes settings, in supply chains or in food environments, in which positive nutrition outcomes already occur and to identify factors that lead to these outcomes. Assesses the effectiveness of supply chain changes or food environment interventions at improving nutrition and sustainability outcomes. Uses a systems approach to conceptualize research questions and builds interdisciplinary teams to pull together the expertise needed to study such complex systems. Works as part of a team to design and evaluate food system interventions to improve nutrition outcomes for individuals, households, and communities while also improving environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Uses research protocols that can characterize and assess nutritional quality of food intake or food purchase data. Creatively applies existing theories and scientific methodologies from relevant, allied fields such as public health or sociology. Works as part of a research team, developing datasets relevant to the food systems models being developed by the team and publishing articles in peer-reviewed 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

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements for Biology Series, GS-401: 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 Basic Requirements for Dietetics and Nutrition Series, GS-0630: 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). 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 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 conducting nutritional research on food systems; collecting data from existing, well developed databases; developing new data related to nutrition; and determining how food system changes can lead to improved nutrition and public health outcomes. 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: Experience planning and conducting nutritional research on food systems; measuring the performance of food systems across metrics of health and nutrition; and publishing nutritional research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 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: Experience enhancing nutritional research on food systems and how they impact human health and economic, environmental, and social sustainability; identifying factors that influence the adoption of dietary habits and food consumption patterns of the general public; publishing nutritional research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; and presenting, by invitation, research findings at scientific meetings. 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 leading nutritional research on food systems and how they impact human health and economic, environmental, and social sustainability; designing food system strategies that lead to improved nutrition and health outcomes; publishing nutritional research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; presenting, by invitation, research findings at scientific meetings; and training or supervising graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scientists on specialized techniques and methods associated with nutrition or foods systems research. 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 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Matthew Knoche
• Phone: (571) 418-0373
• Email: [email protected]