Job Details

DutiesActively serves in a leadership role for research program planning and implementation of the overall research missions, goals, and policies in the Plains Area (PA), primarily responsible for these activities at the ETSARC.Keeps the PA Area Director fully informed of the units' programs and related considerations having a significant bearing on the development of research priorities and projections, budgets, and use of facilities based on the needs of the ETSARC.Participates with the PA Area Director and other research program leaders in developing criteria for budgetary priorities and projections. Providing leadership in developing and coordinating research program projections.Provides leadership, direction and approach to identify research needs of stakeholders and reviews research plans for Research Leaders. Forecasts the resources required and projections of time required to make advances that impact research.Leads and targets the science mission and direction of Research Leaders in the ETSARC and evaluates the effectiveness of program operations.Provides leadership to foster and develop cooperative relationships to increase the effectiveness of scientific programs and explores partnerships.Has the responsibility for ensuring the quality of all CRIS Research Project proposals and their preparation for external review coordinated by the OSQR.Has the responsibility for administrative oversight for institutional biosafety and animal use and care programs.Provides the PA Area Director and other officials with advice on highly technical problems in transdisciplinary programs conducted at the ETSARC.Proactively partners and communicates with all local, regional, and national stakeholders to identify stakeholder needs and improve stakeholder support.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentVeterans' preference is applicable in the Senior Science and Technolgy Service (SSTS).Initial appointments are required to serve a 1-year probationary periodYou must upload your responses to the SSTS Professional Recognition documentation.Background Investigation and a security clearance are required.U. S. Citizenship, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the US is required. Qualifications- Have conducted outstanding research in the fields of animal or plant science, as determined by a Qualifications Assessment Board;- Have earned a doctoral level degree at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 u.s.c.1001),- Have national or international recognition authority and leadership in an area of widespread scientific interest and investigation;- Meet the qualification standards prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for appointment to a position at the GS-15 level of the General Schedule.- Directing the work of an organizational unit.- Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects.- Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance; and- Supervising the work of employees; and exercising important policy-making, policy determining, or other executive functions.EducationFor 0401- Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.ORCombination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.Degree: Chemistry, biological sciences, agriculture, plant physiology, plant genetics, entomology, plant pathology, pest management, molecular biology, soil science, agronomy, agricultural engineering, remote/proximal sensing or plant pest management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.A Ph.D. in any of the disciplines listed above is required.Additional informationConsideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications. Race, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, marital or family status, disability, and other non-merit factors will not be considered.1. This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). This law also requires the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment.2. Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered.3. The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs.4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November 8, 1985.5. All application forms are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become the property of USDA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-###-#### (voice and TDD).Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency at 202-###-####. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office. HelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable).Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the qualification requirements as outlined above to be eligible for further consideration will be determined ineligible for further consideration.YOU MUST UPLOAD YOUR RESPONSE TO THE FIVE CRITERION QUESTIONS in the SSTS Professional Recognition Documentation Form as described below.Evaluation Method: Applicants must meet the qualification requirements as outlined above to be eligible for further consideration and must submit written statements in response to SSTS criteria listed below (also referred to as the SSTS Professional Recognition Documentation) detailing evidence of the experience, knowledge, skill, ability, and other personal characteristic requirements and show how and when they were used. This evidence must include clear, concise examples that show the level of accomplishments and degree of responsibility. Qualification determinations will be based on the information supplied by the applicant.Senior Science and Technology Service Professional Recognition Documentation FormName of Applicant: _______ Date: _____Criterion 1: List and describe personal honors and awards received from major national or international organizations for accomplishments; publications in prestigious journals (e.g., Science, Nature, PNAS), and significant impacts on food chemistry, food science, entomology, biochemistry, plant genetics, post-harvest biology, agricultural engineering, crop production, or food safety.Criterion 2: List recent instances in which you have been sought out as an advisor and consultant on scientific and technological programs or problems, reflecting either personal accomplishments or research leadership of the programs you oversee.Criterion 3: List evidence of how your personal stature and recognition, and/or scientific leadership, has attracted visiting scientist, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and applications for scientific positions in the programs you oversee.Criterion 4: Describe your research and/or leadership accomplishments in the areas of chemistry, food science, biochemistry, plant genetics, post-harvest biology, agricultural engineering, crop production, and/or food safety research programs, policy, practices or funding in the public or private sectors.Criterion 5: Provide examples where your ability to lead people and manage financial, facility (buildings, laboratories, and greenhouses), and information resources (technology and data) have contributed to the impact of your scientific and/or technological accomplishments.To view the application form, visit: