The incumbent performs tasks to assist the Director and senior staff scientists of the USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP). Under the guidance of the Director and/or senior staff scientists, the incumbent carries out a variety of programmatic and analytical assignments pertaining primarily to food sampling and the quality assurance programs of the participating States and Federal pesticide residue programs and facilities.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Reviews detailed PDP sample and/or chemical residue data and reports for conformity to standard operating procedures and quality assurance/quality control requirements. Analyzes PDP data for trends and reporting by applying knowledge of technical/scientific approaches and spreadsheet and database applications. Independently researches and prepares reports on agricultural and scientific questions of interest to PDP for review by the Director and/or senior scientists. Contributes to the preparation of reports, presentations, trainings, and other communications regarding the program methods, sample and/or chemical residue results, pesticide tolerances, etc. Maintains working relationship with PDP State partners and provides support to the States on the recognition of collaborators. Manages multiple tasks at one time, including reoccurring (e.g., monthly) assignments.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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/
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

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 REQUIREMENT FOR THE 0401 SERIES: 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 REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1320 SERIES: 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 in A 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. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Training in the methods of residue chemistry and review of chemical residue data in environmental samples such as food, water, soil, etc. Using spreadsheet and/or database applications that can be used for data analysis. Training in researching and preparing scientific reports and documenting findings. OR: 1 year of graduate-level education in courses relating to each individual basic requirement per job series. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on Superior Academic Achievement. (S.A.A.), you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying methods of residue chemistry and/or reviewing chemical residue data in environmental samples such as food, water, soil, etc. Conducting data analysis using software applications such as spreadsheets and/or databases. Researching and preparing scientific reports, preparing presentations of scientific findings, and communicating results. OR: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in courses relating to each individual basic requirement per job series. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]