Summary
These positions are located in the USDA, ARS, Northeast Area, Foreign Disease/Weed Science Research Unit in Frederick, MD. In these positions, you will conduct research of invasive plant pathogens and weeds that are foreign and/or newly emergent, utilizing unique biological containment facilities for their study.
Duties
Develops and conducts an independent research program on foreign, invasive, and/or newly emerging plant pathogens and associated plant health threats, including their biology, transmission, host range, emergence, and survival.
Investigates interactions among plant pathogens, host plants, vectors, seeds, weeds, associated microorganisms, and environmental factors, as appropriate to the assigned research program.
Plans and conducts laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, field, and/or biocontainment studies to characterize pathogens and associated plant health systems, including pathogen transmission, survival, and/or biological significance.
Develops, adapts, validates, and applies advanced scientific methods and technologies to characterize plant pathogens and associated risks, and develops tools to support research, detection, monitoring, and/or risk assessment.
Develops or evaluates approaches to reduce plant health risks, including pathogen exclusion, detection, mitigation, transmission interruption, management of pathogen reservoirs or alternate hosts, and/or suppression of pathogen-associated weeds.
Analyzes and communicates research findings through reports, presentations, publications, diagnostic or reference resources, technology transfer activities, and collaborations.
Conducts applicable research involving foreign, regulated, and/or high-consequence pathogens in specialized biocontainment facilities and supervises assigned support personnel.
Education
Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
How you will be evaluated
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/13068309