The incumbent serves as Research Leader for the Soybean/Maize Germplasm, Pathology and Genetics Research Unit (SMGPG) in Urbana, IL. The mission of the SMGPG is to maintain soybean and maize gene banks and use the resources to develop knowledge and technologies needed to improve crop production in the United States.

Duties

The incumbent conceives, plans, directs, and implements independent and collaborative research that: contributes to improved maintenance and more effective utilization of the germplasm in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System soybean and maize genetic stock collections; and/or reduces soybean/maize pathogens and pests utilizing host and pathogen genetics, genomics and biology to produce innovative practices for sustainable soybean/maize production with positive impacts on the environment. The incumbent will address one or more of the following research objectives for maize and/or soybean: Enhance the germplasm management of the maize/soybean gene banks to improve scientific understanding of biological, agronomic and productivity traits of maize and/or soybean, especially as they relate to effects of climate change; Investigate emerging and endemic pathogens and obtain information for developing sources of host resistance or other management strategies; Develop strategies to incorporate productivity and resistance traits into currently used varieties of maize and soybean; Improve understanding of the molecular basis/mechanisms of diseases of soybean and/or maize, including research on various organisms such as viruses, bacteria, nematodes and insects that might affect host response, interactions and management. Supervisory duties include: maintaining and enhancing the creativity and productivity of the unit; managing the human, fiscal, and physical resources assigned to the unit; providing technical information and consultation, both internal and external to ARS; and ensuring the proper interpretation and reporting of scientific research results and information.

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.
• Successful completion of a 3-year probationary period.
• Subject to 1-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/.

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: Applicants must meet the basic requirements for at least one of the series described below. Plant Pathology Series, 0434: 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. Genetics Series, 0440: Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Graduate Education:Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics. Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying. Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to meeting the basic requirements for one of the series described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are: Planning and conducting independent research related to improving maintenance and effective utilization of soybean or maize germplasm in a genetic stock collection OR improving soybean or maize production traits or resistance to pathogens and pests; AND Utilizing new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence or existing molecular biology, genetics (e.g., genomic selection, transcriptomic analysis), biotechnology, or bioengineering approaches to conduct research; AND Managing human, fiscal, and physical resources to accomplish research goals; AND Publishing independent research results related to soybean or maize germplasm management OR related to improving soybean or maize production traits or resistance to pathogens or pests in peer-reviewed scientific journals. GS-15: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-15 level are: Leading team research related to improving maintenance and effective utilization of soybean or maize germplasm in a genetic stock collection OR improving soybean, maize, or other plant production or resistance to pathogens and pests; AND Developing new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence or molecular biology, genetics (e.g., genomic selection, transcriptomic analysis), biotechnology, or bioengineering approaches to conduct research; AND Developing and maintaining relationships with commodity groups or other stakeholders; AND Managing human, fiscal, and physical resources to accomplish research goals; AND Publishing independent research results related to soybean or maize germplasm management OR related to improvement of soybean or maize production traits or resistance to pathogens or pests in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 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. 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: Heather Lee
• Phone: 301-956-3803
• Email: [email protected]