USA Staffing

Position Title: Research Biologist
Agency: Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number: ARS-D22PWA-11559797-mds Opens in new window
Open Period: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 to Saturday, October 15, 2022

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)

Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

A. Yes

B. No

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

A. Yes

B. No

4. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?

A. Yes

B. No

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

Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for the Research Biologist, GS-401 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. Select the answer below that describes your education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for the Biological Science (0401) series. You are required to submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.

A. I have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

B. I have a combination of education and experience, with courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

C. I do not meet the basic education requirements as described above.

2. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select, or you may be rated as not qualified.

A. I possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level; or its non-Federal equivalent, conducting independent research related to developing new methods or technologies to generate new genetic and genomics resources for crop improvement research; AND publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually.

B. I have a Ph.D. or equivalent related doctoral degree. My education is directly related to the work of this position and equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this job. Related degrees include biological sciences, botany, plant/crop sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry.

C. I have a combination of Ph.D. level education and specialized experience as described above.

D. I do not meet any of the requirements as described above.

3. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-13 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select, or you may be rated as not qualified.

A. I possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level; or its non-Federal equivalent leading group efforts and conducting independent research related to developing new methods or technologies to generate new genetic and genomics resources for crop improvement research; AND publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND working with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and/or writing grant proposals to expand existing programs.

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

4. Select the statement(s) that best reflect(s) your education and/or 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 my 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 (i.e. courses in plant genetics, plant breeding, plant biology, biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, plant pathology, computer science, botany, horticulture, crop production, bioinformatics, biochemistry, computational biology, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics, plant-microbe biology, biological engineering, biochemical engineering, biometry and statistics, information science, biological science, plant science, plant systematics, plant physiology, biotechnology, cell biology, biological systems engineering, genetics and genomics) above the high school level. If you select this answer, you must 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.

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 plant genetics, plant breeding, plant biology, biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, plant pathology, computer science, botany, horticulture, crop production, bioinformatics, biochemistry, computational biology, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics, plant-microbe biology, biological engineering, biochemical engineering, biometry and statistics, information science, biological science, plant science, plant systematics, plant physiology, biotechnology, cell biology, biological systems engineering, genetics and genomics with emphasis on computer simulations or modeling. If you select this answer, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

D. I have experience in a research field related to plant biology, breeding, genetics, biotechnology, genome editing to identify, cloning, characterize, and utilize important trait genes for crop improvement.

E. I do not possess any of the education and/or experience described above.

5. 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.

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