Research Horticulturist

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Minimum qualification requirements are found in the General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov). Basic Qualification Requirements for Genetics Series, 0437 Degree: horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences. The 16-semester-hour requirement in horticulture includes course work in basic horticulture and course work related to any of the recognized subject-matter fields of horticulture, i.e., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery work, seed production, or course work in related areas of science, such as micro-biology, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, or genetics that is directly related to horticultural work. Additional Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below to qualify at each grade level. GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (e.g., horticulture, plant physiology, plant nutrition) OR 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are: – Conducting research related to hydroponic and soilless substrate crop production systems; AND – Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND – Presenting research findings at scientific conferences and stakeholder events, either in person or virtually The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are: – Planning and leading team research related to hydroponic and soilless crop production systems; AND – Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND – Presenting research findings at scientific conferences and stakeholder events, either in person or virtually; AND – Experience supervising staff and/or advising graduate students or post-doctoral scholars to accomplish research objectives. 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. 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. Also, please 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. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
The incumbent is a Research Horticulturist in the USDA, ARS, Application Technology Research Unit located in Wooster, OH. The incumbent is responsible for developing a new research program on advancing the efficiency and productivity of hydroponic and soilless production systems in controlled environment agriculture.