USA Staffing

Position Title: Supervisory Research Biologist/Nutritionist/Chemist (Research Leader)
Agency: Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number: ARS-D23PA-12109478-KA Opens in new window
Open Period: Friday, September 1, 2023 to Friday, September 29, 2023

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.

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

A. 0401 - General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences

B. 0630 - Dietitian And Nutritionist

C. 1320 - Chemistry

3. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?

A. Yes

B. No

Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for the Supervisory Research Biologist, Nutritionist, Chemist position. The incumbent will plan and conduct studies that develop novel approaches to analyzing and understanding complex data for use in supporting responsive agriculture and precision nutrition in food systems that enhance human, environmental, and economic health outcomes. To be qualified, 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. The Biologist GS-0401 position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to minimum qualifications in order to be found minimally qualified for this series. Please select the description below that best describes how you meet the basic requirement. Your transcript(s) must support the response you've selected.

A. I have successfully completed a degree in the 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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

2. The Nutritionist GS-0630 position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to minimum qualifications in order to be found minimally qualified for this series. Please select the description below that best describes how you meet the basic requirement. Your transcript(s) must support the response you've selected.

A. I have successfully completed a degree in in the fields of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science. The educational program must have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (external link) (ACEND), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. For dietitian positions, the curriculum must have been in accordance with the qualifying requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) (external link) (formerly American Dietetic Association (external link) (ADA) prior to January 1, 2012) in effect at the time of graduation; Completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved by AND (formerly ADA) for dietitians or nutritionists; Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). NOTE Employees currently assigned to positions in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered to have met the basic requirements for the position occupied.

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

3. The Chemist GS-1320 position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to minimum qualifications in order to be found minimally qualified for this series. Please select the description below that best describes how you meet the basic requirement. Your transcript(s) must support the response you've selected.

A. I have successfully completed a degree in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

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

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

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

A. I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is fulfilled by the following: Documented research experience improving the link between food and health through responsive agriculture and precision nutrition; 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.

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

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

A. I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level. Specialized experience is fulfilled by the following: Experience in research and reputation serve as a recruiting tool to your organization; Leading research to improve the link between food and health through responsive agriculture and precision nutrition; Experience in research had led to national/international recognition as an authority and leader in the field; Experience in research has led to awards, honors, or other recognition from major national and international organizations; Experience managing a research program, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; Experience supervising employees, to include setting performance standards, monitoring performance and guiding subordinates.

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

6. Select the statement that best reflects 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 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 (All coursework associated with veterinary medicine) above the high school level? If you select this answer, please submit 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: Computational Biology, Physiology, Nutrition. If you select this answer, please submit transcripts.

D. I have experience developing research projects and has published articles in journals documenting efforts and results of research.

E. I do not possess any of the above.

7. 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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