https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/376143800
Job Title:Plant Materials Center Manager
Department:Department Of Agriculture
Agency:Natural Resources Conservation Service
Job Announcement Number:Multi-14-1154542-MP-PT
SALARY RANGE: |
$57,982.00 to $98,305.00 / Per Year |
OPEN PERIOD: |
Friday, July 25, 2014 to Monday, August 4, 2014 |
SERIES & GRADE: |
GS-0401/0457/0471-11/12 |
POSITION INFORMATION: |
Full Time – Permanent |
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:12 |
|
DUTY LOCATIONS: |
8 vacancies in the following location(s): Americus, GA View Map Aberdeen, ID View Map Beltsville, MD View Map Lansing, MI View Map Coffeeville, MS View Map More Locations (3) |
WHO MAY APPLY: |
Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles) |
SECURITY CLEARANCE: |
Public Trust – Background Investigation |
SUPERVISORY STATUS: |
Yes |
JOB SUMMARY:
The Natural Resource Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov )
Who May Be Considered: Applications accepted from current career or career-conditional Federal employees with competitive status, reinstatement eligible, persons with disabilities, VEOA eligible,certain military spouses, 30% or more disabled veterans, former Peace Corps or VISTA volunteers, CTAP/ICTAP eligible, Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees, Excepted employees covered under Interchange Agreements and those eligible for Special Hiring Authorities. If you do not meet any of these criteria, we encourage you to look at other job opportunities advertised by USDA/NRCS.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
- Occasional Travel
- Approximately 10%
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
- Yes
- Relocation expenses will be authorized as allowable by law.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- U.S. Citizenship
- Adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered /exempt from Selective Service
- Successful completion of a one-year probationary period
- Key Essential Position
DUTIES:
- Develop and direct a plant materials-agronomic plant and vegetative technology testing program serving a multi-state area. This involves a multi-facetted program of plant testing, field, greenhouse, and container production, plant release, plant evaluations, and off-PMC field plantings to develop vegetative information and tools to be used by NRCS field staff and others for natural resource conservation efforts.
- Direct and conduct the business management function of the PMC. This includes developing program plans; managing budgets, facilities, and equipment; managing seed and plant testing activities; and coordinating procurement. Perform a full range of supervisory duties for employees to include planning work priorities, evaluating performance, conduct staff meetings, participating in recruitment efforts, handling training needs, conducting minor disciplinary actions and resolving complaints. Coordinate activities with other PMCs, federal and state agencies, universities, and partners.
- Develop and coordinate plant materials training within a multi-state service area. Prepares the PMC Annual Reports, technical notes, and other written materials covering results of work accomplished. Develop and implement a public relations program to encourage interest and transfer plant materials technology and information. This includes preparing news items, maintaining close working and technical relations with external customers and conducting tours.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
All applicants must meet all qualifications such as the education requirement, the specialized experience requirement and the time-in-grade requirements listed below by the closing date of the announcement. This position is being posted as an interdisciplinary position. Applicants must meet either the basic requirements for the Agronomist (GS-0471), the Soil Conservationist (GS-0457) and/or the Natural Resources Specialist (GS-0401) series, as well as meet the grade level requirement(s) further below, in order to be considered for this position.
Basic Requirements:
Agronomist: Bachelor’s or higher degree in agronomy; or 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 those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management; OR a combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Soil Conservationist: Bachelor’s or higher degree in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. This degree must include at least 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours are in soils and 3 semester hours are in crops or plant science; OR Combination of education and experience — at least 30 semester hours in one or more disciplines as shown above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science.
Natural Resources Specialist: Bachelor’s or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Specialized Experience Requirements: In addition to meeting one of the basic requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the grade level requirement(s) listed below:
GS-11 Grade Level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-9 grade level or higher, which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of related experience include: knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles, and practices applicable to agronomy, soils, biology, botany, etc. in order to service soil and water conservation programs; conducting scientific studies with plant materials sufficient to provide solutions and demonstrate results statistically; knowledge and understanding of seed lab techniques, greenhouse technologies, seedbed preparation, planting techniques, tilling, etc.; knowledge of plant science, including the principles and techniques of plant breeding, in order to evaluate data and release and certify improved plant materials and vegetative technology; skill in developing and maintaining cooperative relations with representatives of research and other companies or organizations; skill in oral and written communication methods, techniques, and procedures sufficient to discuss, explain, and advocate biological principles applicable to conservation issues, problems and solutions to diverse groups; OR I have three years , or 54 semester hours of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or I have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. This education is directly related to the work of this position; OR I have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position. To calculate the combination of education and experience, determine the amount of experience you have as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine the amount of education you have as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Note: The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for the grade level.
GS-12 Grade Level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-11 grade level or higher, which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience includes: professional knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and practices applicable to agronomy, soils, biology, botany, etc. in order to service multiple state soil and water conservation programs; ability to manage a vegetative research program to find solutions to multiple diverse and often complex natural resource issues; conducting scientific studies with plant materials sufficient to provide solutions and demonstrate results statistically; professional knowledge and understanding of seed lab techniques, greenhouse technologies, seedbed preparation, planting techniques, tilling, etc.; professional knowledge of plant science, including the principles and techniques of plant breeding, in order to evaluate data and release and certify improved plant materials and vegetative technology; skill in developing and maintaining cooperative relations with representatives of research and other companies or organizations; skill in oral and written communication methods, techniques, and procedures sufficient to discuss, explain, and advocate biological principles applicable to conservation issues, problems and solutions to diverse groups.
Evaluation of Education: It is mandatory to submit college transcripts (official or unofficial) to document your education. Please submit course catalog descriptions for courses, especially if these courses are in soils, crops or plant science, which may not be clearly identified as qualifying (i.e. master’s thesis, special topics, seminars, internships). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S.Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S.Department of Education. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for your education. Click this link for more information.
Time-in-Grade: Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade (i.e. GS-9 for GS-11 or GS-11 for GS-12) to be considered for this position.
Reference: For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here:http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
Conditions of Employment:
- This work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to conservation work in an outdoor environment. This work requires outdoor physical activities (walking, climbing, etc.) for prolonged periods of time over rough terrain. This work also involves recurring exposure to operating agricultural equipment and adverse weather conditions.
- Obtain and maintain a state pesticide applicators permit/license, for conducting research and demonstration within the state within one year of employment.
- A valid state motor vehicle license will be required for operation of a government-owned motor vehicle as an incidental driver. Travel may be on public or private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark. Travel may also be required via off-road vehicles.
- Applicants must wait at least 90 days after a non-temporary competitive appointment before they can be promoted, transferred, reinstated, reassigned, or detailed to a different position and/or different geographical area.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Agriculture requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Suitability as a condition of placement in this Non-Sensitive level position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations,as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Agency’s Merit Promotion Plan and Policy. Applications and required documentation will be reviewed to determine if applicants meet eligibility and job requirements. Qualified applicants will then be rated on the quality of experience, education, and training they possess relevant to the duties of the position and the extent applicants possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (or competencies):
- Knowledge and experience with plant and soil science concepts, principles and practices in order to apply such knowledge to solve complex natural resource conservation issues over multiple states.
- Ability to lead and supervise a vegetative program to identify solutions to natural resource problems.
- Knowledge and skill in communication methods to convey study results and information through written and verbal means.
The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job, and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Attempts to falsify information, inflate your qualifications, or providing inaccurate information on federal documents may be grounds to adjust your rating or to not select you. Errors, omissions or providing inaccurate information on federal documents may affect your eligibility. If selected providing inaccurate information on federal documents could also be grounds for dismissing you from the position/agency. Please follow all instructions carefully.
To preview the occupational assessment, click here: View Assessment Questions
BENEFITS:
The Federal service offers a comprehensive benefits package: Explore the benefits offered to most Federal employees at https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.
OTHER INFORMATION:
- Promotion Potiential: Position has promotion potiential to the next higher level (GS-12). Promotion may occur without further competition once all legal and regulatory requirements are met to include supervisor’s recommendation for promotion and management’s certification of the continuing need for performance of duties at the higher grade level.
- Veterans: Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran’s Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). See: http://www.opm.gov/staffingportal/vetguide.asp#VeteransEmploymentAct1998
- Special Hiring Options: Individuals eligible under the Veteran’s Recruitment Act (VRA) or 30 percent disabled veterans, Disabled veterans who have completed a VA training program, Military Spouse, Certain Former Overseas Employees, and Schedule A Disabled may be considered under special hiring authorities. Click here for more information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Special_Hiring_Options”
- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP eligible see: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workfordce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ To be found well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, surplus or displaced Federal employee must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors, and be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
- E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form 1-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS ‘E-VERIFY’ system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
- Note: This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
HOW TO APPLY:
To begin, click the Apply Online to create or log into your USAJOBS Account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Be sure to upload the required documents before you submit your application. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and then click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process to submit your application package. To verify that your application is complete or check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account and then select Application Status and click on the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency sent related to this application. Your uploaded document may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
If you apply online, you may fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:
- Complete this single page cover sheet http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID: 1154542
- Place the cover sheet on top of your documents, fax your application materials to: 1-478-757-3144.
- Keep your fax confirmation sheet in the event that verification is needed.
If you cannot apply online, you may apply via a fax machine:
- Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire. View Occupational Questionnaire
- Print the 1203FX form to provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire http://www.opm.gov./forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf. The 1203FX form will serve as a fax cover sheet, so must be placed on top of all materials being faxed.
- Fax the completed 1203FX form with supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring all faxed documents are transmitted and received in the system.
- Keep your fax confirmation sheet in the event that verification is needed.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package which includes:
- Resume clearly describing your experience related to this position as described in the”Major Duties,” “Qualifications,” and “How you will be evaluated” sections of this announcement.
- Responses to the on-line Occupational Questionnaire TAG:Link to Questions Only
Current or former Federal employees must submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), or equivalent identifying tenure, type of appointment, and highest grade and step held on a permanent basis. Please ensure that the information listed on the SF-50 is applicable to the position you are applying.
- Current or former Federal employees must submit a copy of your most recent Federal completed annual performance appraisal dated within the last 18 months that includes the final rating. If not available, provide a statement advising why the performance appraisal is not available.
- Veterans: If you are a veteran and you are claiming veteran’s preference, you must submit a DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. For competitive service positions, active duty service members expecting to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days: you may be granted tentative preference by submitting a “certification” document in lieu of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. This “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of the submission of the certification. Veteran’s preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran’s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
- If you are claiming 10-point veteran’s preference based on service-connected disability, in addition to the DD-214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), you must also submit an SF-15, “Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference, plus the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. For more information on veterans’preference see: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide:proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation(as applicable),and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application.
- If you are applying under a Special Hiring Authority you must include proof of your eligibility (for example, a copy of qualification certificate from a State or Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Office (Schedule A appointment)). Examples of special appointment authorities include appointment of people with disabilities (Schedule A appointment), Peace Corp and VISTA Volunteers, Military Spouses,etc. For a list of these authorities, please visit: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=aebca61862e022b41d5c463067e2bdff&rgn=div5&view=text&node=5:1.0.1.2.39&idno=5. For a list of these authorities, please visit Career or Career-Conditional Appointment Under SpecialAuthorities.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Phone: (406)587-6869
Email: CHRISTINA.KLIMA@MT.USDA.GOV
USDA NRCS EAST
10 E Babcock Street
Bozeman, MT
59715
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
You may track progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job, and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration, possible interview and selection. We will notify you, via your USAJOBS account, of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 40 days after the deadline for applications.
Additional Duty Location Info
8 vacancies in the following locations:
Americus, GA View Map
Aberdeen, ID View Map
Beltsville, MD View Map
Lansing, MI View Map
Coffeeville, MS View Map
Los Lunas, NM View Map
Corvallis, OR View Map
Pullman, WA View Map