Molecular Biologist

Summary

The selectee serves as an authority in 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.

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Duties

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• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• 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 projects execution, track progress and budget, trains and manage assignments for support staff for timely project completion.
• Monitors spending, approves reimbursement claims and financial reports and provides overall management of cooperative agreements
• Responsible for making final, authoritative molecular taxonomic determinations of plant pathogens and other plant pests intercepted at ports of entry from all parts of the world.
• 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• The selectee may work at times in a Bio-safety Level 3 agriculture facility that will require changing clothes into work-suits.
• APHIS and State policy requires changing clothing upon entry and showering prior to exit of the facility.
• The selectee may travel domestically and internationally and must be capable of handling personal luggage.
• The work requires the extensive reading of numerous scientific documents, prolonged use of highly specialized serological and molecular biological instruments, and frequent use of a computer.
• The incumbent could encounter plant pathogens of high risk or Select Agents outlined in the 7 CFR 331 that will require the incumbent to submit to an FBI background investigation.
• The incumbent of this position must maintain a security clearance level sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.

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 in 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-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Applying principles of virology, plant pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or other related sciences to study, characterize and identify plant pathogens.
• Planning and managing projects and collaborating with other scientists to address research and technological needs related to plant pathogens and plant health.
• Using molecular and serological methods including microorganism isolation, nucleic acid extraction, various PCR and RT-PCR methods, isothermal amplification, nucleic acid sequencing and data analysis, ELISA and others.
• Analyzing, summarizing, and communicating technical/scientific data and information, both orally and in writing, to academic and professional audience.

OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.

Equivalent education and experience are accepted for this grade.

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-11 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.

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.

Additional information

• 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 well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 to receive selection priority.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee..
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A 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.