This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Cereals Research Unit, Fargo, ND. In this position, you will be assisting with the planning and coordinating of crop quality or crop breeding research activities; coordinating work assignments for lower level employees; and participating in cooperative projects and efforts with crop quality or crop breeding testing laboratories and groups.

Duties

Plans, conducts, and/or directs quality evaluations on new varieties of oat and/or industry and research samples to determine their projected end-use quality and functionality. Evaluates, compiles, and statistically analyzes all the data of quality traits including kernel/flour physical and biochemical components, experimental dehulling, processing, and end-use characteristics. Keeps abreast of current scientific advancement in relevant fields and new techniques by reading literature, reviewing articles, and attending supervisor approved meetings, workshops, and conferences. Participates in meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops in order to present information, and has authority to represent the unit and ARS on assigned areas of responsibility. Investigates of the inherent and external physical and chemical factors which affect and are basic to oat nutritional, processing, and end-use quality. Conducts literature searches pertinent to research areas and keeps up to date on current literature in the broader areas of oat quality. Evaluates and interprets both visual and numerical data. Performs cooperative work that includes designing experiments, literature searches, data analysis and interpretation, and reviewing and contributing to the writing of manuscripts. Uses advanced analytical technology (e.g., Automated dietary fiber analysis, HPLC, gas chromatography, NIR spectroscopy, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, Hyperspectral analysis, N analysis, etc. in accomplishing activities. Uses word processing, spreadsheets, relational databases, email, statistical software packages, neural networks, computer-assisted design (CAD), inter and intranet computer programs, and specialized instrumentation and analytical software programs.

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 one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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 for Food Technology Series, 1382 Degree: food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science. The course work must have been comprised of at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and physical sciences and included at least 20 semester hours in food technology and closely related subjects, or 20 semester hours in subjects that can be applied directly to food technology. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, including the course work specified, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Basic Requirements for Chemistry Series, 1320 Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to meeting at least one of the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-12 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience assisting with the planning and coordinating of crop quality or crop breeding research activities; coordinating work assignments for lower level employees; and participating in cooperative projects and efforts with crop quality or crop breeding testing laboratories and groups. GS-13 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-13 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-12 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is planning and coordinating research and service activities for a crop research program; serving as a technical resource regarding crop samples for scientific research; documenting activities and research results sufficient for inclusion of data in published scientific journals; and coordinating efforts and providing technical support and advice to scientists from federal, state, and private organizations. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Kendra Bledsoe
• Phone: 7032599425
• Email: [email protected]