Salary Range:	35,157.00 - 55,910.00 USD /year GS-07: $35,157 to $45,701; GS-08: $38,935 to $50,615; GS-09: $43,004 to $55,910
Series & Grade:	GS-0404-07/08/09
Promotion Potential:	GS-09
Open Period:	Monday, March 13, 2006 to Monday, April 03, 2006
Position Information:	Full-Time  Permanent
Duty Locations:	1 vacancy - Maricopa, AZ
Who May Be Considered:	Applications will be accepted from US Citizens, from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Applications will also be accepted from USDA Surplus and Federal Displaced Employees in the commuting area.

Job Summary:
Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

Actively participates in phases of the research involving isolation, cloning, expression, and characterization of genes for key enzymes of plant stress response and metabolism.

You must include a statement in your application that you are a U.S. citizen.

Major Duties:

The incumbent provides technical support to the scientist conducting research on the molecular biology and biochemistry of plant responses to abiotic stress.  Actively participates in phases of the research involving isolation, cloning, expression, and characterization of genes for key enzymes of plant stress response and metabolism.  Applies techniques of molecular biology including DNA/RNA isolation and sequencing, restriction digest, PCR, RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, plant transformation and tissue culture and other specialized procedures to 1) isolate cDNAs for genes of interest, 2) clone the genes into suitable expression vectors and 3) evaluate gene expression.  Applies techniques of biochemistry including protein purification, electrophoresis, and immunoblotting to evaluate the activity and expression of proteins of interest.  Organizes the production and care of plant material for use in experiments.  Conducts experiments on the regulation of genes and proteins involved in plant response to abiotic stress.  Reviews the literature for relevant information pertaining to new methods and products in recombinant DNA technology for cloning and expressing genes and detecting nucleic acids and proteins.  Keeps exact, detailed records of experimental data.  Tabulates, analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.  Experiments containing nucleotide sequencing are analyzed by searching internet resources including nucleotide and protein databanks.

 

 

 

Qualifications:

Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.

Basic Requirements:

GS-07:  Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal Service OR one academic year of directly related graduate education.

GS-08:  Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal Service OR one and a half academic years of directly related graduate education.

GS-09:  Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 level in the Federal Service OR two academic years of directly related graduate education.

If qualifying all or in part based on your education, please submit a copy of your college transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received.  If the requested information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.  If your qualifications are  based in any part on education and you are selected for this position, you will have to
provide an official copy of your academic transcripts prior to entering
on duty.  

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.   Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

Additional Requirements:

Time-In-Grade Restrictions apply for all candidates considered under Merit Promotion/Alternative Merit Promotion.

Specialized Experience is experience which has equipped you with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - 'KSAs' required to perform the duties of this position: 

1.  Ability to use laboratory procedures and techniques associated with research in molecular biology and biochemistry such as:  DNA/RNA isolation, restriction digest, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and protein extraction/purification.

2.  Skill in sterile techniques including cell and tissue culture.

3.  Skill in using word processing and spreadsheet computer applications for data recording and analysis.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualifications required, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with this position as defined above under 'Specialized Experience.'  The Agricultural Research Service uses a category rating process.  Based on evaluation of all written materials submitted in application for the position, you will be determined to be Ineligible, if you do not meet eligibility and/or minimum qualifications criteria; Eligible, if you meet all eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria; OR Quality, if you meet quality criteria in addition to eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria.  For information about how to address KSAs, please visit our website at  http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers,  click on 'How to Apply,' then click on 'What are those KSAs anyway?'  For more information about the evaluation process, please visit our website at:  www.ars.usda.gov/careers, click on 'How to Apply,' then click on the link to 'Qualifications and What They Mean.'

Benefits:

A Benefits Package is authorized for this position.  Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.htm.

Other Information:

Veteran's Preference:
For further details, call the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 703-724-1850 or TDD 978-461-8404.  Select General Information on the Federal
Employment Policies and Procedures, and then Veteran's Preference and Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans.  Visit their VetGuide website at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.

Relocation Expenses:
Payment of relocation expenses will be determined in accordance with P&P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 and 7, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, which may be found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/412-05.htm#H10.  See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

Financial Disclosure Requirement:
Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with
outside organizations in which they have a financial interest.   You may be required to submit a financial disclosure report if hired for this position.   

False statements:
If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not
be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

Optional Form 306, (Declaration for Federal Employment):
If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete this form before an offer may be made.

USDA Surplus/Federal Displaced Employees:
USDA Surplus/Federal displaced employees must submit documentary evidence of eligibility.  Well qualified surplus and displaced employees within the local commuting area will receive selection priority as provided by OPM regulations.  Well-qualified means the applicant meets the basic qualification and eligibility requirements and all selective placement factors; is rated above minimally qualified against the KSAs or quality criteria; and is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.  Applicants must submit the following:

1)      a copy of your RIF Separation Notice or Certification of Expected Separation or other documentation indicating that you are a surplus employee;

2)      evidence of full performance level of current position;

3)      a copy of your most recent performance appraisal; and

4)     a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, to
verify reassignment eligibility.

Selective Service System:
Males over age 18 who were born after December 31, 1959, must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for Federal employment.

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information:
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD). 

How To Apply:

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number, but they must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date.

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

If hand delivered, be sure your application is received in the Human Resources Division on or before closing date.

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

__ Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications (Go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to obtain the OF-612).

The following information is required of all applicants:

__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

__ Social security number

__ Statement that you are a U.S. citizen (if not using the OF-612)

__Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) (only if claiming veteran's preference) (Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp 

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference) plus the support documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's preference) (Go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain form.)

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position.  For each period of work experience include:

          ___Job title

          ___Series/grade (if Federal employment)

          ___Duties and accomplishments

          ___Employer's name and address

          ___Supervisor's name and contact information

          ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year)

          ___Number of hours worked per week

          ___Salary

          ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.)

          ___Certificates/licenses (current)

          ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments

          ___Supplemental questionnaire if applicable
                (usually for Federal Wage System positions - WG, WL, WS)

__ Copy of college transcripts (if qualifying all or in part on the basis of education for this position) (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading “Other Education” for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

__ Copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify possession of competitive civil service status (if you are a current or previous federal employee)

__ Copy of most recent performance appraisal (if you are a current federal employee)

__ Second copy of application package IF you are a candidate with competitive status.  (NOTE:  All status candidates who wish to be considered under both alternative merit promotion and non-status competitive examining must submit two (2) complete applications when the position is open to both status and non-status candidates.  When only one (1) application is received, it will be considered under the alternative merit promotion procedures if the applicant is a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility.)

__ Support documentation for eligibility for special hiring authorities, such as disability, Peace Corps service, etc.  (If you have questions about whether you are eligible for a particular hiring authority, please call the servicing HR specialist or visit the web site at http://www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/default.asp 
 
__ Support documentation if you are a USDA surplus or federal displaced employee (See pertinent section under “Other Important Information” below.

__ Self-certification of typing speed (if required as a basic qualification for the position)

__ While not required, a separate response to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs listed under Specialized Experience) and Selective Placement Factor(s), if present, for this position may better highlight your specific qualifications for this position.  (For an explanation of KSAs, go to the web site at http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/whatksa.html).

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about  various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to access the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Optional Form 510.

Location Contact Information:  Eiko Adkisson 520-316-6310

Contact Information:

Theresa Gibbs Phone: 301-504-1553 Fax: 301-504-1535 TDD: 202-855-1234 Email: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV

Or write: Department Of Agriculture USDA-REE-ARS-HRD/(ARS-X6W-0080) 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop #5106 Beltsville, MD 20705-5106 US Fax: 301-504-1535

What To Expect Next:

Applicants will receive written confirmation from this office when their application package is received.

After the application has been received, applicants will not be notified of the status of their paperwork until a final selection has been made.