This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Egg Safety & Poultry Production Research Unit in Athens, GA. In this position, you will be responsible for focusing on reducing pathogen contamination risks and improving quality attributes of eggs and egg products through housing system management and egg handling practices.

Duties

Formulates, directs, coordinates, reviews, and evaluates research which will provide guidance to industry and regulatory personnel in attaining compliance, optimizing efficiency and providing a safe, high quality product for consumer. Researches pre- and post-harvest management and interventions to generate holistic ‘farm to fork’ data and the incumbent leads and participates in research objectives within both of these project components Examines the roles of flock management, egg handling, and shell egg handling and processing on product safety and quality. Improves the microbial safety and functional quality of eggs delivered to consumers. Determines product safety and quality consequences of poultry management practices and poultry housing (particularly commercial cage-free systems) used for rearing and maintaining egg-laying hen. Determines how to optimize the efficacy of handling and sanitizing practices during processing for protecting egg and quality attributes.

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 Food Technology Series, 1382 A. 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 B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, including the course work specified, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND 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 research in the area of egg or poultry food technology focused on food product safety and product quality; utilizing multiple research analysis techniques in a laboratory, greenhouse and field plot; publishing research results in peer reviewed journals related to food technology; and collaborating with stakeholders 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 food technology research focused on improving quality attributes of poultry eggs and egg products through housing system management and egg handling practices; researching methods for reducing or eliminating food-borne pathogens from food; and publishing original research as first author in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to food technology; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; and presenting research findings at professional meetings of regional stature 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 141 Experimental Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776 US
• Name: Matthew Knoche
• Phone: (571) 418-0373
• Email: [email protected]