[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Sustainable Farming Systems JOB Announcement
This job announcement is also available on the WWW at
http://www.ars.usda.gov/afm/hrd/d8b-014.htm
It is my understanding that ANY QUALIFIED person MAY APPLY for
the job, EVEN GIVEN the several statements about surplus and displaced
federal employees, AND DESPITE the statement that only federal employees
may apply (in the WWW version of this announcement).
Please note contact information at the end of this announcement.
Andy Clark
USDA RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Position Title: Agronomist
Series/Grade: GS-0471-9/11
Promotion Potential: GS-11
Salary: $31,680 - $49,831 per annum
Type of Appointment: Permanent Full Time
Location of Position:
Soil-Microbial Systems Lab, Natural Resources Institute,
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
Beltsville, Maryland
Announcement Number: ARS-D8B-0014
Opening Date: October 14, 1997
Closing Date: November 3, 1997
Area of Consideration: All U.S. Citizens
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM USDA SURPLUS EMPLOYEES IN THE
COMMUTING AREA.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM USDA SURPLUS AND FEDERAL DISPLACED
EMPLOYEES IN THE COMMUTING AREA.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM ALL ARS SURPLUS
EMPLOYEES--NATIONWIDE.
DUTIES: The incumbent serves as Field Manager of a long-term Farming
Systems Project (FSP). This project, a part of the Beltsville
Agricultural Research Center Sustainable Agriculture Program, is a
multi-disciplinary program that seeks to identify and solve biological and
social constraints to the sustainable production agronomic crops in the
Middle Atlantic states; studies methods to improve field and production
with cultural and non-chemical weed, insect, and disease control
strategies; develops, extends, and stimulates the use of research
information to improve the viability of farms, while sustaining long-term
agricultural productivity and enhancing environmental quality.
The incumbent is responsible for varied duties necessary to the planning,
establishment and maintenance of field crop production systems on research
plots and surrounding areas to ensure consistency with scientific goals of
the FSP. These duties include planning and implementing field operations
in crop rotations, including planting, irrigation, cultivation, nutrient
and pest management using cultural, non-chemical and conventional methods,
collection and processing of soil and plant samples, and harvest of
various crops in the experimental plots and surrounding areas; maintaining
an accurate, organized history of field-related operations and practices
and daily observations on field crop ecology related to plant health and
development, insect and other pest infestations; participating in project
planning, including experimental design, budget planning, analysis of
program needs, and prioritizing acquisition of equipment and facility
updates for the research site.
The incumbent plans, directs, and assists in field operations and data
collection, establishes work priorities, and exercises independent
judgement in the daily resolution of situations in accordance with FSP
research objectives.
QUALIFICATIONS: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in
an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher
degree in agronomy or a related discipline of science that included at
least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences,
including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as thos
dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop
management, OR course work equivalent to a major as stated above plus
appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the basic requirements, applicants for this position must
have 1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the next
lower grade in Federal service. Certain education may be substituted for
experience. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the
applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform
successfully the duties of the position.
1. Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and procedures
of agronomy as applied in the production, management, and utilization of
field crops.
2. Knowledge of cultural practices for field crops in rotation; from
land preparation through harvest and residue incorporation.
3. Skill in the operation of agricultural and composting equipment,
including maintenance, adjustment, and modification.
APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
(KSA'S) ABOVE IN TERMS OF THEIR EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, AND
PERRFORMANCE RATINGS. APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO EACH
FACTOR.Selective Placement Factors: The following factors will determine
who meets the minimum qualifications. Applicants MUST submit a specific
response to each factor.
1. Skill in computer operations in order to record and maintain
schedules, field observations, production records, and field operations,
using spreadsheet and forms management software.
2. Knowledge of non-chemical weed, insect, and disease control
strategies used for field crops.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY: Send a resume, curriculum vitae, SF-171, or Optional
Application for Federal Employment, OF-612, to the Contact address. The
following information is needed to evaluate applicant qualifications and
to determine if applicants meet legal requirements for Federal employment:
Announcement number, title, and grade(s)
Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and
evening phone numbers (with area code)
Social security number
Highest Federal civilian grade held
Highest education level achieved. Specify:
- Name, city, state, zip code (if known)
- Date or expected date (month/year) of completion of
degree requirements
- Type of degree received
- Graduates of foreign universities must include proof of
foreign education equivalency to an accredited U.S. college/university
Copy of college transcripts or list of college courses (if
required under QUALIFICATIONS or if applicable to the position).
Paid and nonpaid work experience related to the position. For
each work experience include:
- Job title
- Series/grade (if Federal employment)
- Duties and accomplishments
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and address
- Starting and ending dates
- Hours per week
- Salary
- Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer
Job-related:
- Training courses (title and year)
- Skills (e.g., other languages, typing speed, computer
software/hardware, tools, etc.)
- Certificates/licenses (current)
- Honors, awards, and special accomplishments
Applicants will be evaluated based on the quality and extent of
their experience, education, and accomplishments. This may include
factors such as number of credits in directly related subjects, grade
point average, relatedness of work experience, and any other evidence of
ability to do the work of the position. For current and former Federal
employees, the performance evaluation may also be taken into
consideration. Please be sure that your application or resume contains
all of the information we need to determine if you are well qualified.
Relocation Expenses:
[ ] may be authorized.
[ X ] will not be authorized.
USDA surplus/Federal displaced employees must submit documentary
evidence of eligibility. Well qualified surplus and displaced employees
within the local commuting area will receive selection priority as
provided by OPM regulations. Applicants must submit the following:
- a copy of their RIF Separation Notice (for displaced
employees) OR Certification of Expected Separation or other documentation
identifying you as surplus;
- evidence of full performance level of current position;
- a copy of their most recent performance appraisal; and
- a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of
Personnel Action, to verify reassignment eligibility.
Current Federal employees must submit their most recent
performance appraisal.
Applicants with Federal reinstatement eligibility should submit
an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting competitive
eligibility.
If applications do not contain all of the requested information,
applicants may lose consideration for the job.
If applicants make a false statement in any part of their
application, they may not be hired; may be fired after they begin work;
or may be fined or jailed.
Applicants will not be notified of the status of their
application until a final selection has been made
Applications submitted via Government envelopes, Government FAX
machines, or electronic mail will not be accepted.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE
[ ] POSTMARKED
[ X ] RECEIVED
BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES: Special hiring authorities may apply to
disabled individuals, former Peace Corps, Vista, action cooperatives,
volunteers, VRA eligibles, and 30 percent disabled veterans.
CONTACT:
For application forms, write to, visit or call:
CONTACT:For application forms, write to, visit or call:
USDA, Agricultural Research Service
BAHQOB/Human Resources Division
6305 Ivy Lane, Rm. 361
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-344-4638
Submit applications to: Address Above
Mary Byrd 301-344-2945 (specific questions)
DIAL-A-VACANCY: 301-344-2288
DC RELAY SERVICE: 202-855-1234 (TDD)
To Unsubscribe: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with "unsubscribe sanet-mg".
To Subscribe to Digest: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with the command
"subscribe sanet-mg-digest".