This position is located in the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Headquarters, National Programs, Crops Production & Protection in Beltsville, MD. In this position, you will serve as a National Program Leader for Plant Health and will provide national leadership and coordination of agricultural research programs relating to diseases of agronomic and horticultural crops.

Duties

Work closely with other National Program Leaders to develop and maintain interdisciplinary research programs where needed and to develop cooperative plans for shifting of resources (people and/or funds) as needed to meet ARS missions and goals. Consult with line managers and make recommendations on program direction, resource allocation, and personnel changes. Lead and coordinate ARS research in the fields of plant health and diseases of agronomic and horticultural crops. Evaluate operational plans and ongoing research programs and assesses progress toward achieving ARS program plan objectives. Maintain a dynamic communication system with Area Directors, Research Leaders, stakeholders, and scientists involved in the program area under the incumbent's purview. Work with line managers to ensure that field operating plans reflect national priorities and policies, contain the proper emphasis/de-emphasis of project areas, have acceptable timetables, and properly deploy human, physical, and capital resources. Plan scientific initiatives at all scales, determine appropriate resources needed to achieve success, and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of major research programs and their constituent projects.

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/
• Financial Disclosure Required.
• Drug Test Required.
• Although the incumbent has no supervisory responsibility, it is imperative the incumbent is aware of management responsibilities.
• The incumbent will attend meetings where classified sensitive information is discussed which would require Top Secret clearance.

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 Plant Pathology, 434 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. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-15 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-15 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-14 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 conducting research related to plant health and plant pathology; giving presentations or lectures at national and international scientific meetings; providing guidance or recommendations regarding technical aspects of scientific programs; and developing collaborative relationships with government officials, scientific organizations, and internal and external industry stakeholders to coordinate research efforts and validate research results. The Department and its agencies are committed to affirmative implementation of EEO plans of action and applicable civil lights provisions. It is the responsibility of the incumbent to assure that equal opportunity is extended to all candidates for employment and all beneficiaries of pertinent programs under his/her management. Equal opportunity in employment and for employees supervised should include: full consideration of eligible minority group members and women in filling vacant positions, holding individual and group meetings to communicate EEO and program missions, providing career counseling and orientation; enhancing career opportunities through training development, job redesign, and similar techniques; and ensuring full consideration of these employees in recommending promotions, awards, and other forms of special recognition. 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 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Sydney Teague
• Phone: 703-259-9455
• Email: [email protected]