USA Staffing

Position Title: SUPVY RESEARCH MICROBIOLOGIST/ENTOMOLOGIST/VMO (RESEARCH LEADER)
Agency: Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number: ARS-D19PA-10564534-MDW Opens in new window
Open Period: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 to Thursday, September 26, 2019

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

2. Select all of the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series.

A. 0403 - Microbiology

B. 0414 - Entomology

C. 0701 - Veterinary Medical Science

Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for the Supervisory Research Microbiologist/Entomologist/Veterinary Medical Officer position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position.

1. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.

A. Yes, I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, certifications, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided is subject to investigation. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false, fraudulent or inaccurate information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

B. No, I do not certify and I understand that by responding “no” to this certification that I will not receive consideration for this position.

2. Select the statement that best reflects your education and experience.

A. I possess one or more of the following:(1) a GPA of 2.7 or higher for a degree from an accredited junior college, college, university or other baccalaureate institution; or (2) a GPA of 3.0 or higher in your major field of study for a degree from an accredited junior college, college, university or other baccalaureate institution; or (3) a GPA of 2.7 or higher for at least 24 semester hours of directly related course work (in the fields of microbiology, biology, chemistry, basic medical science; or entomology or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences; or veterinary medicine, above the high school level? If you answer yes, please submit a copy of your transcripts.

B. I am a member of a national honor society (other than a freshman honor society) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies? If you select this answer, please include the name of the Society in your application package.

C. I have completed all requirements for an advanced degree (beyond the baccalaureate) in a directly related field from an accredited institution? Directly related fields of study include microbiology, biology chemistry, basic medical science, entomology, veterinary medicine or related science. If you answer yes, please submit a copy of your transcripts. If you select this answer, please submit transcripts.

D. I have experience writing grants with successful funding or long-term research plans involving a number of researchers; OR being a leader in professional scientific society(s); OR being a member of a multi-institutional/multi-year collaborative research projects.

E. I do not possess any of the following.

3. Select the answer below that describes your education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for this position. If you select A, B, or C, please submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.

A. Degree in microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent; OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Graduate Education in Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work. Research positions at or above GS-12 require PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.

B. Degree in entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. Graduate Education in entomology, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on entomology. Graduate study in related fields such as biology, zoology, or invertebrate zoology that involved cross-training in entomology is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on entomology. Research positions at or above GS-12 require PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.

C. Degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA). The AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link), has a listing of all AVMA-accredited veterinary medical schools. Or Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools that are not accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (Refer to AVMA web site, http://www.avma.org (external link)for information about schools in this category) must meet one of the following requirements. • Proof of certification of their final transcript by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) • Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT). • Proof that the education obtained in a foreign veterinary medical program is equivalent to that gained in a veterinary medical program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Under this provision, equivalency is established only if an AVMA-accredited veterinary medical school or college accepts the graduate's final transcript from the foreign veterinary medical school at full value for placement into an advanced degree, postgraduate educational program, or training program (e.g. residency or graduate program). Graduates of foreign veterinary medical programs must also provide proof of proficiency in the English language by successfully completing one of the nationally and internationally recognized examinations that incorporate assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Examples of examinations that assess mastery of the English language are shown below: • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores for the TOEFL are 560 for the paper-based version; 220 for the computer-based version; or overall score of 83 for the internet-based version (including 26 or higher in speaking, 26 or higher in listening, and 17 or higher in writing). For the computer-based and paper-based test versions, applicants must also complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Minimum required scores are 55 for the TSE and 5.5 for the TWE; • Academic tests (listening, writing, and speaking) offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, and 6.0 in writing; or • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 70, with at least 60 in speaking, 60 in listening, and 50 in writing. Research positions at or above GS-12 require PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.

D. My education is not reflected in the above statements.

4. Choose the answer that best describes your experience for the GS-14 grade level

A. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are: • Experience researching emerging vector-borne and zoonotic diseases with an emphasis on one or more of these subject areas: molecular biology, microbiology, virology, arthropod disease vectors, vector biology and competence, livestock entomology, epidemiology, immunology, viral pathogenesis, or vaccinology; • Producing publications as the primary author for those that impact the advancement of the field or are viewed as authoritative; • Conceiving and formulating research ideas that advance the field of science or is used as a reference by other scientists; • Experience participating in Symposia that define the state of the discipline or introduce new areas in the field; • Experience managing a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; • Experience supervising employees, to include setting performance standards, monitoring performance and guiding subordinates. A minimum of two years of postdoctoral research experience GS is required.

B. I do not fully meet the requirements described above.

5. Choose the answer that best describes your experience for the GS-15 grade level

A. GS-15: In addition to the GS-14 grade level requirements stated above, applicants must possess one year of specialized equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position are: • Experience managing one or more research programs, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; • Developing products in the identified field of research that lead to the modification important extension of current theory in the field of study; • Managing personnel, materials, equipment, resources, and facilities needed to accomplish research goals. A minimum of two years of postdoctoral research experience is required.

B. I do not fully meet the requirements described above.

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