This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Oklahoma & Central Plains Agricultural Research Center, Peanut & Small Grains Research in El Reno, OK. In this position, you will conduct research on the ecology and management of economically important insect pests of wheat, barley, and sorghum, including conducting surveys to detect new invasive pest insects, and working with breeders to discover resistant genetic sources for cereal crops.

Duties

Developing and conducting research on ecology and management of economically important insect pests of wheat, barley, and sorghum. Collaborating with molecular biologists on biochemical, physiological, and genomic analyses to determine if, when, where, and how pest insect populations are developing new virulent biotypes. Developing biological, chemical control, and cultural control tactics required to efficiently manage insect pests and mitigate their economic impacts. Coordinating research activities with state and federal scientists involved in insect pest management in wheat, barley, and sorghum. Developing research plans based on priorities identified by Office of National Programs, preparing cooperative agreements, and maintaining liaisons with National Program Staff, University and Federal scientists, and private industry.

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 Entomology, 0414 series Degree: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Education: Applicants with major fields of study in biology, zoology, or invertebrate zoology may fully meet the basic educational requirements if their academic preparation included substantive instruction (including appropriate laboratory and field work) in basic general entomology, taxonomy, physiology, ecology, general and organic chemistry, general physics, and mathematics or statistics that provided some training in the analysis of variables. 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 independent research on the basic biology, ecology, and/or behavior of insect pests of cereal crops; obtaining and analyzing insect samples in the field or lab to develop control strategies; evaluating and interpreting research results; and preparing reports of research results in the form of manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings. 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 independent and collaborative research to develop new strategies to manage insect pests, or other important pests of cereal crops; producing scientific publications as the first or corresponding author; conducting field and lab-based tests for measuring insect biology, ecology, and/or behavior,; and nationally recognized expertise in the subject field. 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 coordinating, or leading collaborative research on insect pests of cereal crops; producing scientific publications as the primary author; and presenting research findings related to insect pests of cereal crops at regional, national, or international 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 a research team or developing research studies on the implementation of pest management programs or pest resistance management of economically important insect pests of cereal crops; acting as a liaison and communicating with stakeholders and translating their needs into researchable objectives; primary authorship of several important papers and publications in the field of entomology; making presentations to professional societies and others outside the organization on matters specific to the study of entomology and pest management. 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 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Sydney Teague
• Phone: 703-259-9455
• Email: [email protected]