Job Title: Principal Scientist,
Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition – Washington, DC
Department: Department Of Agriculture
Agency: National
Institute of Food and Agriculture
Job Announcement Number: NIFA:SL:10-10
SALARY RANGE:
|
$119,554.00 - $179,700.00 /year
Current/former SL employees may be reassigned, transferred or
reinstated.
|
OPEN PERIOD:
|
Thursday, November 18, 2010 to Monday, January 10, 2011
|
SERIES & GRADE:
|
SL-0401
0101-00/00
|
POSITION INFORMATION:
|
Full
Time Permanent.
This position is also announced as a permanent position.
Announcement #NIFA:SL:10-11. If you wish
to be considered for the Term position please indicate it on your
resume.
|
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
|
00
|
DUTY LOCATIONS:
|
1 vacancy - Washington DC Metro Area, DC
|
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
|
Applications will be accepted from all qualified US
citizens.
|
JOB SUMMARY:
|
The National Institute of Food and
Agriculture (NIFA) is the Federal component of a nationwide extramural
research, educational, and outreach system which supports the global,
science-based agricultural enterprise and accomplishes its missions in
partnership with land-grant universities and other academic and
scientific organizations. To learn more about NIFA, please visit http://www.nifa.usda.gov.
'You
are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your
application package. Your application may not get full consideration if
you do not follow the instructions as outlined.'
This
position is in the Senior Level (SL)-Career Reserved. Positions
in the SL are not graded. Only one position to be filled under
this announcement. SL employees are also eligible for bonuses and
awards based on performance. Veteran's preference is applicable
to the SL.
The
mission of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in the
Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area is to lead food
and agriculture sciences to create a better future for the nation and
the world. NIFA is responsible for providing national leadership
and support for cooperative science, extension, and education programs
and other cooperative activities in the food, agricultural, and
environmental sciences to meet major needs and challenges in food and agricultural
system productivity; development of new food, fiber, and energy
sources; agricultural energy use and production; sustainable natural
resources use; promotion of the health and welfare of people; human
nutrition; and international food and agriculture.
|
|
|
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
- Address Mandatory
Technical Qualifications
- Specialized Experience
- Protect you privacy ~ do
NOT include your social security number.
- Background and/or
Security Investigation required.
- Designated and/or Random
Drug Testing required.
- Agency Specific
Requirements
|
|
Back to top 
Duties
Additional
Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Washington DC Metro Area,
DC
The
Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition is a major component of
NIFA. This Institute is responsible for research, education, and
extension that leads to a safer food supply;
improving health and nutrition of citizens and reducing childhood
obesity; and improving food quality. The Institute is co-led by the
Assistant Director and the Principal Scientist with the incumbent
providing the scientific leadership to programs assigned to the
Institute.
The
incumbent serves as Principal Scientist of the Institute of Food Safety
and Nutrition, and is responsible for providing scientific leadership and
direction of research, education, and extension programs to enhance the
safety of America's food supply and development of nutritious and
affordable food. The incumbent serves as a principal scientific
advisor to the Deputy Director for Food and Community Resources in
evaluating, planning, directing and coordinating scientific activities
related to the mission and function of NIFA. The incumbent is
instrumental in elevating the standing of agricultural sciences within
the Federal science enterprise and provides scientific and technical
input to the Director and Deputy Directors of NIFA.
The
incumbent works closely with
the Assistant Director of the Food Safety and Nutrition and provides the
scientific direction for recommendations in programs and policies that
are developed jointly with the Assistant Director.
Back to top
Qualifications and
Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
QUALIFICATIONS
CRITERIA:
Each
applicant must submit a comprehensive narrative statement that addresses
the Mandatory
Technical Qualifications outlined below. The
narrative statement must include clear and concise examples that describe
the applicant's level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs
managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of
contacts. The
narrative must not exceed 2 pages for each statement.
Failure
to meet basic qualification requirements and to submit narratives for the
Mandatory Technical Qualification factors will automatically disqualify
an applicant.
MANDATORY
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
(Fully
described each statements as attachments with your applicantion package)
1.
Knowledge of scientific advances, opportunities and challenges in basic
and applied biological, social and behavioral sciences influencing food
safety and nutrition.
2.
Ability to develop an extensive scientific and educational network
including experts from across a wide spectrum of universities, agencies,
and organizations to inform and guide program development.
3.
Ability to solicit and synthesize both scientific and user input to
research, education, and extension programs in food safety and nutrition
programs.
Specialized
Education:
Successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study leading to a
bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university with
major study in (for SL-0401) biological sciences, agriculture,
natural resource management, (for SL-0101) behavioral or social
science, or allied disciplines pertinent to the work of the position to
be filled; OR four years experience demonstrating an acquired knowledge
and understanding which would have been obtained through completion of a
4‑year course described above. Ph.D. in one of the aforementioned
disciplines is desirable.
Drug
Testing: You may subject to random drug testing for illegal drug
use.
Background and/or
Security Investigation Required
*With the recent concern and sensitivity regarding
personal identification information, this is a request that you remove
all social security numbers from applications and other submitted
documents.
HOW
YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
EVALUATION
METHOD:
All
required application materials will be reviewed to determine if
applicants meet the mandatory qualification requirements. Qualification
and experience determinations will be based only on the information
supplied by the applicant.
The
best-qualified candidates for this position will be distinguished from other
applicants by reviewing application materials to determine the degree to
which qualification requirements are met. Applicants should provide
specific evidence of possession of the Mandatory Technical
Qualifications.
Only the
best-qualified candidates will be offered interviews. Applicants
may be requested to furnish in writing a list of individuals familiar
with their qualifications for contact as references.
Back to top
Benefits and Other Info
BENEFITS:
You may
participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs
shared with your employer. More info: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp.
Life
insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp.
Long-Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement.
More info: http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp.
New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and
covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr
You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/ANNUAL.HTM.
You will
earn sick leave. More info: http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/sicklv.htm.
You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly
scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI
Tele-work / telecommuting may be made available after you have come on
board. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#TELE
Alternative work schedule options are available.
If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may
be subsidized. Our human resources office can provide additional
information on how this program is run.
Qualified federal employees may be covered by our child care subsidy
program or dependent care flexible spending account. Our human resources
office can provide additional information on eligibility. More info: http://www.fsafeds.com.
You can use Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts for expenses that are
tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including
out-of-pocket expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans.
More Info: http://www.opm.gov/insure/flexible/index.asp
OTHER
INFORMATION:
The
materials you send with your application will not be returned.
Send only those
materials needed to evaluate your application. Please do not place your
application in a notebook or binder or send pictures.
If you are selected and you have not previously completed a
probationary period, you will be required to serve a one-year managerial
probation period.
Before entering on duty, you will be required to complete a Confidential
Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278. You will need to provide the
information annually.
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
(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.
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.
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.
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).
Back to top
How To
Apply
HOW
TO APPLY:
You must submit your application so
that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement.
1.
OF-612, Application for Federal Employment, OR resume that
includes all specific information that your application must contain except your social security
number (see 'Applying for a Federal Job: and forms
at www.opm.gov./forms/html/of.asp)
2.
A narrative statement that addresses each of the Mandatory Technical
Qualifications.
3.
If you are a current or former federal employee with reinstatement
eligibility, you must submit a copy of your last Notification of
Personnel Action (SF50) and a copy of your most recent Performance
Appraisal.
Additional
Information:
1.
This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the
Ethics in Government Act of 19078 (P.L. 95-521). This Law also requires
the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report
(Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment.
2.
Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted
through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered, however use of government e-mail
systems and government fax machines is permitted if the
agency states those systems may be used to send applications. (Applications can be e-mailed to
seniorpositions@ars.usda.gov)
3.
Male applicants born after December 31 1959,
must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be
employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This
requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November
8, 1985.
4.
The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political
recommendations for Federal jobs.
5.
ALL APPLICATION FORMS ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVACY ACT
AND BECOME THE PROPERTY OF USDA.
6. Drug Testing:
You may be subject to random drug testing for illegal drug use.
AGENCY
CONTACT INFO:
|
Deborah Crump
Phone: 301-504-1448
Fax: 301-504-1535
TDD: 202-855-1234
Email: seniorpositions@ars.usda.gov
|
Agency Information:
Department Of Agriculture
5601 Sunnyside Ave
Room 3-1146-B
Beltsville, MD 20705-5101
US
Fax: 301-504-1535
|
WHAT
TO EXPECT NEXT:
Applicants who meet the mandatory requirements in item A
(Technical Qualifications), and B (Education Requirements)
above will be considered qualified for this position. Rating
and ranking to determine 'best
qualified' will be conducted by a panel of experts, and
will be based upon consideration of the degree to which applicants meet
the mandatory qualifications describe in A and B. Interviews and
qualification inquires may be required. The
selectee are subject to prior approval by the Secretary of USDA.
Back to top
|
