Research Geneticist (Plants)

Generate genetic knowledge and products to improve crop production and crop quality and increase U.S. capacity to produce crops of high quality, with reduced farm-inputs (such as reduced pesticides, water, and fertilizer) and increased production.

Produce improved crops that are more durable than what is currently present in these crops creating more stable yields, increased producer profits, and improved U.S. food security.

Characterize and identify plant germplasm of interest to the research project.

Identify and develop molecular markers for predicting performance of those markers.

Conduct high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping to quantitatively measure and characterize variation of desirable traits in plants.

Perform traditional breeding, marker-assisted selection, and genome editing.

Utilize interdisciplinary approaches, such as population biology, that will inform breeding decisions and management strategies.

Transfer knowledge, tools, germplasm, and genetic markers to stakeholders, including other breeders in industry and academia.

Employ conventional and novel technologies to find innovative solutions to stakeholder challenges.

Analyze, interpret, and report research results in the form of presentations, publications, and technical reports.

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category.

This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or 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. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process.

To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958916.

The selectee's assigned research area/crop focus will be based on duty station. Available duty stations and associated research areas/crop foci are noted below.

You will be given the opportunity to select which duty station(s) you would like to be considered for when submitting your application. Aberdeen, ID - Potato, Barley Albany, CA - Produce Safety, Wheat Charleston, SC - Brassica Crops Fargo, ND - Cereal Crops, Sunflower Florence, SC - Cotton Geneva, NY - Grape Hilo, HI - Coffee Jackson, TN - Soybean Lincoln, NE - Forage Crops Logan, UT - Forage Legumes, Rangeland Grasses Lubbock, TX - Cotton Madison, WI - Potato, Carrot, Onion, Cranberry Miami, FL - Cacao Mississippi State (Starkville), MS - Corn, Corn Mycotoxin Parlier, CA - Prunus, Citrus Poplarville, MS - Small Fruits - Blueberry, Muscadine Grapes Prosser, WA - Hops Pullman, WA - Dry Pea, Lentil Raleigh, NC - Soybean Saint Paul, MN - Alfalfa Stoneville, MS - Soybean Stuttgart, AR - Rice Tifton, GA - Grass, Forage Urbana, IL - Soybean Woodward, OK - Forage Crops Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically.

The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel. Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected.

For this reason, you are encouraged to apply at all grade levels. A peer review will be required for selections made at grades GS-13 and above and the selectee will be required to submit supplemental materials. CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest.

If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 71 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized.

Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

This position may be eligible to telework, as determined by agency policy.

This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin.

You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Applying online is highly encouraged.

We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

Resumes must not exceed two pages. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this. To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX).

Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable. Please ensure your resume does not exceed two pages. Applicants who submit a resume that exceeds two pages will be removed from consideration.

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted.

Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.

If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university.

If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service.

For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. 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. It is also strongly recommended that you 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.

NOTE: This research field specific information can be submitted under the "Other" document option. If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.

Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference.

The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS.

Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.