Salary Range:	56,411.00 - 73,329.00 USD /year
Series & Grade:	GS-0403-11
Open Period:	Wednesday, September 23, 2009 to Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Position Information:	Full-Time  Temporary position not to exceed 2 years with a possible extension up to 2 years
Duty Locations:	1 vacancy - Brookings, SD
Who May Be Considered:	Applications will be accepted from both US Citizens and Non-Citizens as allowed by appropriations and statute.  For more information on citizenship restrictions log onto: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/jobs/VISA/Countries.htm

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

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organization.  ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority effecting American agriculture.  

This announcement has been revised.  The fax number was not correct and the Area Code for the Location Contact was not correct.  Both errors have been corrected.

Major Duties:

The incumbent will assess soil microbiological characteristics associated with sustainable cropping practices (e.g., cover crops, diversified rotation, no/conservation tillage, perennial crops) and quantify soil biological benefits in these systems (e.g., relative abundance of beneficial organisms, nutrient provisions).  The research will be conducted on a USDA-ARS operated research farm as well as on farms of cooperating producers.

Qualifications:

This position requires a Ph. D in Microbiology or a related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.  Professional knowledge of applying molecular methods in soil microbiology, such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and experience working with mycorrhizal fungi are desired.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

This position has a positive education requirement.  You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position.  If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.  If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.  Application materials will not be returned.

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/s22-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

Special Requirements: 

How You Will Be Evaluated:

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

Benefits:

A Benefits Package will be authorized for appointments made for a period of one year or more.  Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp

Other Information:

Relocation and Other Incentives: Payment of relocation expenses and other incentives will be determined in accordance with P & P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 & 7, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/Bulletins/05-412-5.pdf.  See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

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.

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.

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 postmarked 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 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; to obtain the OF-612 go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp.

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)

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

__Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) only if you are claiming Veteran's Preference; for additional information go to: 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 you are claiming 10-point Veteran's Preference; to obtain the form go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp. 

__ 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.)

          ___Current Certificates/Licenses 

          ___Honors, Awards, and Special Accomplishments

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

__ Copy of college transcripts if you are 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  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 eligibility for a particular hiring authority, please call the servicing HR specialist or go to  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 knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed under Specialized Experience for this position may better highlight your specific qualifications for this position.  For an explanation of KSAs, go to http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/whatksa.html.

As an Applicant for a Research Scientist Position, you must also submit the following:

__  A one-page abstract of MS thesis and/or Ph. d. dissertation

__  A resume of 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 invitations); and publications.

__  A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.

Location Contact Information: Sharon Telkamp, 605.693.5203

Contact Information:

Dr. R. Michael Lehman Phone: 605.693.5205 Fax: 605.693.5240 Email: Michael.Lehman@ars.usda.gov

Or write: Department Of Agriculture 2923 Medary Avenue Brookings, SD 57006 USA Fax: 605.693.5240

What To Expect Next:
Applications will be received and reviewed for consideration until a selection has been made.