Biological Scientist

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: 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: Ability to perform in teams or working groups to address scientific topics that have an impact on plant health or agricultural programs. Support the work of researchers in conducting scientific investigations related to biological systems. Designed and conducted scientific studies in plant protection, biological control, plant pest diagnostics/identification, survey, eradication, exclusion, molecular biology, omics or related areas. Interpreted, evaluated, or analyzed scientific publications, reports, datasets, or similar information related to the plant sciences, which may include a wide range of disciplines (biology, ecology, microbiology, entomology, molecular genetics/genomics). Communicating scientific information orally and in writing to professional scientific organizations, industry, academia, government agencies, or the public. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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.
The selectee works with scientists and technical personnel in APHIS, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), universities, the private sector, and foreign organizations to develop, evaluate, enhance, and maintain the quality of PPQs exclusion, detection, quarantine, eradication, treatment, inspection, and response programs.