This position is located with USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area (PWA), Forage Seed & Cereal Research Unit (FSCRU) at the Prosser, WA Worksite, which is co-located with the Washington State University Irrigated Agricultural Research and Extension Center (IAREC). The incumbent will conduct breeding and genetics research in hop. The incumbent is supervised by a Research Geneticist, collaborates with other scientists, and provides technical leadership to a team of research assistants.

Duties

Duties listed represent the full performance level of the position. Evaluates large populations of hop plants in lab, field, and greenhouse for disease and stress resistance or tolerance as well as agronomic performance and sensory attributes. Trains and provides expert technical leadership to research assistants and students. Prioritizes complex sequences of breeding and research activities to achieve quality outcomes in a safe and efficient manner. Integrates hop genomics and genetic data into an applied breeding program, develops new tests and procedures for selection, coordinates planning, sequence, and execution of annual breeding activities. Breeding activities will include crossing, germination, marker assisted selection, disease screening, propagation, planting, field evaluation, data collection, harvest, and sample processing. Actively participates in modification of existing methods or analyses or the development of new techniques to improve accuracy and efficiency in breeding. Will also actively work to overcome difficulties with specific germplasm, traits, molecular markers, environments, or pathosystems. Collects and analyzes data, identifies, and advances superior genotypes for additional testing.

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 REQUIREMENT GS-0440 - Genetics Series Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. GS-0471 - Agronomy Series 1. Degree: agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one or both of the requirements above, the following Minimum Qualification Requirements are needed for each grade level, as listed below: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. GS-07 Grade Level: Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-07 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, assisting with plant genetic research in a laboratory environment; collecting and evaluating samples related to plant genetics, plant biotechnology, or plant transformation; recording and analyzing scientific data; and compiling scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports. OR Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher-level education leading to a master's degree. Related degrees may include genetics with an emphasis on plants, plant genetics, plant biotechnology, plant biology, plant pathology, or horticulture, agronomy. OR Combination of Education & Experience: Combination of graduate-level education as described above and specialized experience. OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Completion of a bachelor's degree, with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, as described above. S.A.A. is based on {l) A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; OR (2) A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; OR (3) Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR (4) Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. GS-09 Grade Level: Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-09 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, performing plant genetic research in a laboratory environment; collecting and evaluating samples related to plant genetics, plant biotechnology, or plant breeding; recording and analyzing scientific data; and preparing scientific information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports. OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education or a master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include genetics with an emphasis on plants, plant genetics, plant biotechnology, plant biology, plant pathology, or horticulture, agronomy. OR Combination of Education & Experience: A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-11 Grade Level: Experience: The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, maintaining plant germplasm in field or greenhouse and for breeding and experimental use; collecting and analyzing data, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, preparing and delivering scientific presentations; and applying agronomy techniques to maintain field plots. OR Education: Successful completion of three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include genetics with an emphasis on plants, plant genetics, plant biotechnology, plant biology, plant pathology, or horticulture, agronomy. OR Combination of Education & Experience: A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. Relevant Information about the position at all grade levels Physical Demands: The work is in the field, greenhouse, laboratory, tool shop, and office. Some activity requires moving and lifting boxes, tools, equipment, samples, large trays of plants, weighing up to 50 pounds with appropriate support. The work requires standing, lifting, bending, squatting, reaching, walking on uneven surfaces, and operating farm equipment. Long periods are spent outdoors or in greenhouses to evaluate germplasm, likely under inclement conditions. Long periods of car travel are needed to reach field sites for germplasm evaluation. Work Environment: Work is performed in the field, greenhouse, laboratory, tool shop, and office situations that require safety precautions. Work in the field, greenhouse, lab, and tool shop may require wearing protective gear (sun and heat protection, gloves, boots/socks, long sleeves, respirator, eye protection, ear protection, etc.). Recommended standard safety and health precautions are employed during all operations. 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 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Melissa Smith
• Phone: 510-559-6312
• Email: [email protected]