[PCA] JOB: Curator for Echinacea & Hypericum Germplasm (Ames, IA)

[Plant Conservation]

RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS
Agricultural Research Service
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Announcement Type: All Sources

Position Title: Biologist
Series/Grade: GS-0437-09
Promotion Potential: GS-11
Salary: GS-09 $38,936 - $50,617
Type of Appointment: TERM - 2 Years (May be extended an additional 2 years
without further competition)
Location of Position: Plant Introduction Research Unit, Ames, IA
Announcement Number: ARS-D3W-3479
Opening Date: September 22, 2003
Closing Date: October 20, 2003
Area of Consideration: This is a competitive vacancy, open to all United
States citizens.

APPLICATIONS WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED FROM USDA SURPLUS AND FEDERAL DISPLACED
EMPLOYEES IN THE COMMUTING AREA.

DUTIES: The incumbent will provide professional support by curating
germplasm collections of Echinacea, Hypericum and other medicinal and
nutraceutical plants.  Accordingly, the incumbent will independently
develop, plan, and conduct curatorial programs for managing these
collections according to the best managerial practices. This will involve
maintenance, regeneration, and distribution, in addition to extensive
germplasm acquisition (sometimes via fieldwork) in order to build
comprehensive collections.  The incumbent will characterize and evaluate
germplasm, collaborate with others to conduct appropriate genetic and
biochemical analyses, statistically analyze and interpret molecular
genetic marker and other characterization and evaluation data, and manage
and maintain a portion of a computerized, crop-specific database, the
Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).  The incumbent will
coordinate several permanent or temporary employees, prepare written
progress reports, serve as an information clearinghouse for Echinacea and
Hypericum germplasm, and keep abreast of current scientific developments
in plant genetic resource management, adapting such information to improve
current practices. Also, the incumbent will travel for field activities
and cooperator meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a degree in horticulture, botany,
agronomy, plant molecular biology, or plant genetics. In addition,
candidates must have 2 years of progressively higher level related
graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent
graduate degree; Or, have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to
GS-07.  Additional education and experience may be combined. Specialized
experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the following: 1)
Knowledge of practices and procedures of plant genetic resource
conservation and management; 2) Skill in organizing and recording
experimental data in a computerized database; 3) Ability to cultivate
medicinal or nutraceutical plants; and 4) Ability to statistically analyze
and interpret quantitative evaluation data.

YOUR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE WILL BE EVALUATED AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs) AS OUTLINED UNDER SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR(S).  A SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO THE REQUIREMENTS
OUTLINED UNDER SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR(S) IS
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION IN THE EVALUATION
PROCESS.

Selective Placement Factors:

1. Ability to apply horticultural and/or agronomic management practices to
the maintenance of living plant collections for research or conservation.

Other Considerations: All applicants must self-certify on their
application or resume the possession of or the ability to obtain a state
issued pesticide applicator license.

Applicants must attach a copy of transcripts or list of course titles,
grades, semester/quarter hours and credits
completed. If this information is not provided, your education may not be
appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.



APPLICATION INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY:  Send a resume, Curriculum vitae, or Optional Application
for Federal Employment (OF-612), or SF-171, to the Contact address listed
below.  The following information is required to evaluate applicant
qualifications and to determine  if applicants meet legal requirements for
Federal employment:

- Announcement number, title, and grade(s)

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

- Social security number

- Identify country of citizenship (U.S. citizenship is required)

- Veterans' Preference (If applicable--see "Veterans' Preference" below
for required forms and documentation)

- Highest Federal civilian grade held (if applicable)

- Current Federal employees must submit their most recent performance
appraisal.

- Current Federal employees and reinstatement eligibles should submit an
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, to verify competitive
eligibility.

- Highest education level achieved.  Specify:
  -- Name, city, state, zip code (if known)
  -- Date or expected date (month/year) of completion of degree
requirements
  -- Type of degree received
  -- Graduates of foreign universities must include proof of foreign
education equivalency to an accredited U.S. college/university

- Copy of college transcripts or list of college courses (if required
under QUALIFICATIONS or if applicable to the position).

- Paid and nonpaid work experience related to the position.  For each work
experience include:
  -- Job title
  -- Series/grade (if Federal employment)
  -- Duties and accomplishments
  -- Employer's name and address
  -- Supervisor's name and address
  -- Starting and ending dates
  -- Hours per week
  -- Salary
  -- Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

- Job-related:
  -- Training courses (title and year)
  -- Skills (e.g., other languages, typing speed, computer
software/hardware, tools, etc.)
  -- Certificates/licenses (current)
  -- Honors, awards, and special accomplishments

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

- All status candidates who wish to be considered under both merit
promotion and non-status competitive examining must submit two (2)
complete applications.  When only one (1) application is received, it will
be considered under the merit promotion procedures if the applicant is a
current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility.

- Applicants will be evaluated based on the quality of their experience,
education, and accomplishments.  This may include factors such as number
of credits in directly related subjects, grade point average, relatedness
of work experience, and any other evidence of ability to do the work of
the position.  For current and former Federal employees, the performance
evaluation may also be taken into consideration.  Please be sure that your
application or resume contains all of the information we need to determine
if you are well qualified.

- 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, which may be found at
http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/jobs/index.htmand click on, "Policy on
Payment of Relocation Expenses" under General Information.

- 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
knowledge, skills, and abilities or quality criteria; and is able to
satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.  Applicants
must submit the following:
  -- a copy of their RIF Separation Notice (for displaced employees) OR
Certification of Expected Separation or other documentation identifying
you as surplus;
  -- evidence of full performance level of current position;
  -- a copy of their most recent performance appraisal; and
  -- a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action,
to verify reassignment eligibility.

- Male applicants 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 a Federal job.

- Financial Disclosure.  Federal employees are subject to prohibitions
against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a
financial interest.  The incumbent of this position:
     [     ]	will be required to submit a financial disclosure report
within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually
thereafter.
     [ x ]	may be required to submit a financial disclosure report.

- If applications do not contain all of the requested information,
applicants may lose consideration for the job.

- If applicants make a false statement in any part of their application,
they may not be hired; may be fired after they begin work; or may be fined
or jailed.

- Applicants will not be notified of the status of their application until
a final selection has been made.

- Applications submitted via Government envelopes, will not be accepted.

- APPLICATIONS MUST BE
  [x]  POSTMARKED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
  [ ]  RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.


SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES:  If you meet the basic eligibility
requirements and you are eligible for a noncompetitive appointment (a list
of who may be eligible for noncompetitive appointments can be found at
www.usajobs.opm.gov/a1.htm , please indicate the type of special
appointment you are seeking on your application and follow all other
instructions in this announcement.  If you do not indicate the type of
special appointment you are seeking, you will be considered under
competitive procedures.  If you wish to be considered under both
noncompetitive and competitive procedures, please submit two (2) complete
applications.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE:  If applicants served on active duty in the United
States military and were separated under honorable conditions, they may be
eligible for veterans' preference.  To claim 5-point veterans' preference,
you must attach a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge
from Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility.  To claim 10-point
veterans' preference, attach an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans
Preference, plus the documentation required by that form.  For further
details, call the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at
478-757-3000.  Select "Federal Employment Topics" and the "Veterans."  Or,
dial OPM's electronic bulletin board at 478-757-3100 or visit their
VetGuide web site: www.opm.gov/employ/html/vetguide.htm.

EEO STATEMENT:  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC  20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice or TDD).  USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

ACCOMMODATION: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to
applicants with disabilities where appropriate.  If you need a reasonable
accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process or have
questions/concerns regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility
for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Sue
Dixon, ARS, Civil Rights Staff, 202-690-0372 or DC Relay Service:
202-855-1234 (TDD).  The decision on granting reasonable accommodation
will be on a case-by-case basis.

CONTACT:

For a copy of this vacancy announcement and/or applications forms, call
301-504-1482.

For specific questions regarding this vacancy only, call:

Location Human Resources Assistant: Janae Lentz, 515-663-7277

Servicing Human Resources Specialist: Gloria Snipes, 301-504-1582

Submit applications to:

USDA, REE, Agricultural Research Service
Human Resources Division
ATTN: Western Services Branch
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, ARS-D3W-3479
Beltsville, MD 20705-5106
FAX applications to: 301-504-1535

E-MAIL applications to: scirecruit at ars.usda.gov  (If submitting
applications via E-mail, be sure to mail or fax other required
documentation such as college transcripts, SF-50, most recent performance
appraisal, and/or DD-214/SF-15 separately and include the vacancy
announcement number of the position.)

For employment information and current job opportunities:

INTERNET ADDRESS: www.ars.usda.gov
DIAL-A-VACANCY: 301-504-1482
DC RELAY SERVICE: 202-855-1234 (TDD)