Department: Department Of Agriculture
Agency: Agricultural
Research Service
Sub Agency: National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research
Job Announcement Number: ARS-X10W-0137
SALARY RANGE:
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68,809.00 - 125,695.00 USD /year
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OPEN PERIOD:
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Wednesday, April 21, 2010 to Monday, June 21, 2010
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SERIES & GRADE:
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GS-1382
1320-12/14
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POSITION INFORMATION:
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Full-Time Permanent
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DUTY LOCATIONS:
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1 vacancy - Peoria, IL
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WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
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Applications will be accepted from US Citizens, from
current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible
under special hiring authorities.
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JOB SUMMARY:
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Find Solutions to Agricultural
Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table
Your
U.S. citizenship must be verified before entrance on duty.
Seeking
a permanent full-time research scientist in the Functional Foods
Research Unit at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization
Research located in Peoria, IL. The incumbent
will conduct independent research in order to develop new
knowledge to understand the role of oil composition in determining the
functionality and oxidative stability of oils and oil
containing food products.
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Duties
Additional
Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Peoria, IL
The
incumbent independently plans and conducts research to develop new
knowledge to understand the role of oil composition in determining the functionality
and oxidative stability of oils and oil-containing food products.
This knowledge will be used to develop new technologies for making frying
oils, margarines, spreads and shortenings based on U.S. commodity vegetable
oils that have good oxidative stability and/or functionality without the
need for hydrogenation processes that produce trans fatty acids.
·
Investigates effects of natural antioxidants to enhance oxidative stability
of oils and fried food
·
Evaluates new oilseed cultivars for improved oil oxidative stability
· Investigates
effects of alternative oil processing technologies on enhancing oxidative
stability of frying oils
·
Researches different methods/materials for developing trans fat-free
crystallized fat products such as shortening, spreads and margarine
·
Publishes research results in peer reviewed journals and provides
supervision to support staff
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Qualifications and
Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Your
education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification
requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.
Basic Requirements:
Food
Technologist
A.
Degree: food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology,
chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or
physical science. The course work must have been comprised of at
least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and physical sciences, and
included at least 20 semester hours in food technology and closely related
subjects, or 20 semester hours in subjects that can be applied directly to
food technology.
OR
B.
Combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a
major, including the course work specified, as show in A above, plus
appropriate experience or additional education.
Chemist
A.
Degree: 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.
OR
B.
Combination of education and experience - course work equivalent to a
major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in
chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral
calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate
experience or additional education.
This
position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy
of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit
hours, dates completed, and grade point average or class ranking
to verify education when applying for this position. If this
information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately
evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If
you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an
official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.
Application materials will not be returned.
Additional
Requirements:
GS-12: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR one year of
specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the
Federal service.
GS-13:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade
level in the Federal service.
GS-14: One
year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level
in the Federal service.
Time-In-Grade Restrictions apply for all candidates considered under Merit
Promotion/Alternative Merit Promotion.
Specialized
Experience is experience
which has equipped you with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities -
'KSAs' required to perform the duties of this position:
1. Knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of fat/oil-based
materials and emulsions
2. Skill in the use of advanced analytical methods including differential
scanning calorimetry, GC, HPLC and/or GS/MS
3. Skill in sensory analysis techniques
4. Ability to conceive, plan, and conduct research and publish results in
peer reviewed journals
To be considered for
a research scientist position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your
MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Also, submit a list of names,
addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature,
contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in
professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at
scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee
assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.
Vacant
research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending
upon the scientific impact of the person selected. A peer review may
be required to determine the appropriate grade level of the position and
supplemental materials may be required from the selectee.
Research scientists
have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and
their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated
periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's
demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to
science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a
peer review panel.
Education:
Graduate
education must be directly related to the work of the position and must
have equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do
the work.
Education
completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above
requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to
that received in an accredited educational institution in the United
States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when
applying. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website
at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a
for additional information on this topic.
HOW YOU
WILL BE EVALUATED:
You will be
evaluated to determine if you meet the basic and any additional
requirements. The Agricultural Research Service uses a category
rating process. Based on evaluation of all written materials
submitted in application for the position, you will be determined to be
Ineligible, if you do not meet eligibility and/or minimum qualifications
criteria; Eligible, if you meet all eligibility and minimum qualifications
criteria; OR Quality, if you meet quality criteria in addition to
eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria. For information
about how to address KSAs, please visit our website at www.ars.usda.gov/careers, click
on 'How to Apply,' then click on 'What are those KSAs anyway?'
For more information about the evaluation process, please visit our website
at: www.ars.usda.gov/careers,
click on 'How to Apply,' then click on the link to 'Qualifications
and What They Mean.'
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Benefits and Other Info
BENEFITS:
A Benefits
Package is authorized for this position. Additional information about
Federal benefits can be obtained at http://www.usajobs.gov/ei/benefits.asp#icc.
OTHER
INFORMATION:
Veteran's
Preference:
For
further details, call the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at
703-724-1850 or TDD 978-461-8404. Select General Information on the
Federal Employment Policies and Procedures, and then Veteran's Preference
and Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans. Visit their VetGuide
website at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.
Veterans
Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA): Qualified candidates
eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA), a
special hiring authority, will be considered. VEOA eligibles are
preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the armed
forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of active
service. Veterans who are released under honorable conditions shortly
before completing a 3-year tour are also eligible.
Creditable
Service:
Service
credit for annual leave accrual may be granted for directly related
non-Federal work experience or uniformed service for newly appointed
individuals, or those individuals reappointed after a break in service from
civilian Federal employment of at least 90 calendar days. The amount
of non-Federal service to be credited will be based on the amount of
directly related and documented experience that the selectee possesses as
documented by the employee and which is approved by agency management.
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, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, which may be found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/Bulletins/05-412-5.pdf.
See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.
Financial
Disclosure Requirement:
Federal
employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with
outside organizations in which they have a financial interest.
You may be required to submit a financial disclosure report if hired
for this position.
False
statements:
If
you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be
hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.
Optional
Form 306, (Declaration for Federal Employment):
If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete
this form before an offer may be made.
Displaced/Surplus
Employees:
Individuals
eligible under the USDA Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency
Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the
position to receive consideration for special priority selection.
CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area will be considered
well qualified if that applicant meets the qualification standard and
eligibility requirements for the position, meets minimum education and
experience requirements, meets all selective factors where applicable and
is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.
Employees seeking
CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of the agency
notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating and a copy of their
most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty
location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are
applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. Additional information on CTAP
and ICTAP is available at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
Selective
Service System:
Males
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 Federal employment.
ARS
Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information:
If
you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and
hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or
accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please
contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC
Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).
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How To Apply
HOW TO
APPLY:
Applications
may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or
facsimile number, but they must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time on the closing date.
If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send
zipped files. They will be removed in accordance with standard
electronic security procedures.
If hand delivered, be sure your application is received in the Human
Resources Division on or before closing date.
If
application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you
may lose consideration for the job. To help you ensure your
application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this
position, please submit the following documentation as
appropriate. Some of the items listed may not apply to
you. NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government
envelopes will not be considered.
APPLICATION
PACKAGE CHECKLIST
__ Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal
Employment), Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your
qualifications (Go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and
scroll down to obtain the OF-612).
The
following information is required of all applicants:
__
Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position
__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening
phone numbers (with area code)
__ Statement that you are a U.S. citizen (if not using the OF-612)
__Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty) (only if claiming veteran's preference) (Visit the following web site
for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp
__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference) plus the support
documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's
preference) (Go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to
obtain form.)
__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position. For
each period of work experience include:
___Job title
___Series/grade (if
Federal employment)
___Duties and
accomplishments
___Employer's name
and address
___Supervisor's name
and contact information
___Starting and
ending dates of employment (at least month/year)
___Number of hours
worked per week
___Salary
___Indicate if we
may contact current supervisor/employer
__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title &
year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools,
etc.)
___Certificates/licenses (current)
___Honors, awards,
and special accomplishments
___Supplemental
questionnaire if applicable
(usually for Federal Wage System positions - WG, WL, WS)
__ Copy of college transcripts (if qualifying all or in part on the basis
of education for this position) (If you have non-conventional education,
e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go
to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and
look under the heading “Other Education” for information
governing acceptability of this type of education.)
__ Copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify possession of
competitive civil service status (if you are a current or previous federal
employee)
__ Copy of most recent performance appraisal (if you are a current federal
employee)
__ Second copy of application package IF you are a candidate with
competitive status. (NOTE: All status candidates who wish to be
considered under both alternative merit promotion and non-status
competitive examining must submit two (2) complete applications when the
position is open to both status and non-status candidates. When only one
(1) application is received, it will be considered under the alternative
merit promotion procedures if the applicant is a current or former Federal
employee with reinstatement eligibility.)
__ Support
documentation for eligibility for special hiring authorities, such as
disability, Peace Corps service, etc. (If you have questions about
whether you are eligible for a particular hiring authority, please call the
servicing HR specialist or visit the web site at http://www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/default.asp .
__ Support documentation if you are a USDA surplus or federal displaced
employee (See pertinent section under “Other Important Information” below.
__ Self-certification of typing speed (if required as a basic qualification
for the position)
__ While not required, a separate response to the required knowledge,
skills, and abilities (KSAs listed under Specialized Experience) and
Selective Placement Factor(s), if present, for this position may better
highlight your specific qualifications for this position. (For an
explanation of KSAs, go to the web site at http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/whatksa.html).
As an Applicant for a Research
Scientist Position, you must also submit the following:
__ A one-page abstract of MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation
__ A resume of any honors or awards received; memberships in professional
or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at
scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee
assignments; presentations (other than invitations); and publications.
__ A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar
with your stature, contributions, and recognition.
If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to
view more detailed information about various aspects of applying for
federal jobs, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and
scroll down to access the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Optional
Form 510.
Location
Contact Information: Mike Horn (309)-681-6478
AGENCY
CONTACT INFO:
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Jennifer Riddle
Phone: 301-504-1395
Fax: 301-504-1535
TDD: 202-855-1234
Email: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV
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Agency Information:
Department Of Agriculture
USDA-REE-ARS-HRD/ARS-X10W-0137
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop 5106
Beltsville, MD 20705-5106
E-MAIL:SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV
Fax: 301-504-1535
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WHAT TO
EXPECT NEXT:
You will be notified at four stages throughout the hiring
process - upon receipt of your application, if you meet the minimum
qualifications, if you are referred on the selection certificate, and when
a final selection has been made.
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Agency Information:
Department Of Agriculture
USDA-REE-ARS-HRD/ARS-X10W-0137
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop 5106
Beltsville, MD 20705-5106
E-MAIL:SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV
Fax: 301-504-1535
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Questions about this job:
Jennifer Riddle
Phone: 301-504-1395
Fax: 301-504-1535
TDD: 202-855-1234
Email: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV
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Job
Announcement Number:
ARS-X10W-0137
Control Number: 1882324
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