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The selectee serves as an authority in developing molecular and biochemical methods for diagnosis of plant pests and provides final identification of plant pathogens and other plant pests based on sophisticated state-of-the-art molecular and biochemical techniques for detecting, identifying, and differentiating plant pests, especially plant pathogens that threaten U.S. agriculture.


The duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Develops, modifies, adapts, and validates molecular and biochemical detection/diagnostic methods to identify newly introduced/emerging plant pathogens.
  • Manages all aspects of scientific projects (planning, execution, reporting budget and deliverables), trains and manage assignments for support staff for timely project completion.
  • Responsible for making final, authoritative molecular identification of plant pathogens and other plant pests of regulatory or quarantine importance for PPQ.
  • Confers with national and international taxonomic and/or molecular scientists to apply collective data in determining the identity of samples.
  • Searches, reviews, and evaluates current foreign and domestic scientific literature and contacts colleagues for information on new diagnostic testing techniques.
  • Evaluates benefit and feasibility of adopting or adapting the new technology for Agency use and makes recommendations to appropriate Agency managers.
  • Provides scientific information and recommendations to technical field personnel and informs them of new diagnostic techniques.

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.

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: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must meet the following qualification requirement.
 

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Experience applying principles of virology, plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or other related sciences to develop, evaluate and validate methods for detection and identification of plant pathogens.
  • Experience initiating, planning and leading scientific investigations, managing projects, and collaborating with other scientists to address research, technological or programmatic needs that have an impact on plant health programs.
  • Experience using advanced molecular and serological methods including sample processing, microorganism isolation, nucleic acid extraction, various PCR and RT-PCR methods, isothermal amplification, Sanger and high throughput sequencing and data analysis, ELISA etc.
  • Experience analyzing, summarizing, and communicating technical/scientific data and information, both orally and in writing, to academic, industry, internal and external stakeholders or general public audiences.
  • Experience delivering technical training and managing support staff to accomplish project or operational goals and deliverables.

Note: There is no education substitution 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.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

 

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any specialized experience and/or selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, your application is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12547005