-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Fitzner of USDA [mailto:mfitzner@reeusda.gov]
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 1999 6:49 AM
To: san@nal.usda.gov
Subject: Job Announcement
January 11, 1999
TO: Plant Science Job Candidates
FROM: Michael Fitzner, Search Committee Chair
SUBJECT: An Exciting Opportunity With USDA!
A few months from now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) will hire a
person with a plant science background to join our staff as a program
specialist. The attached "Vacancy Announcement" provides a general
description of the job and instructions for applying, but it does not
adequately convey the exciting and challenging nature of this position.
The program specialist we hire will join the CSREES plant systems team in
providing national leadership for research and extension programs
addressing the crop production and pest management needs of U.S.
agriculture. The plant systems team brings science-based perspectives to
national policy discussions on issues related to pesticide use,
biotechnology, genetic conservation, and economic and environmental
sustainability. Our efforts are focused on the development, delivery, and
implementation of new knowledge, technologies, and practices needed by
agricultural producers. We work with land-grant university scientists to
conduct programs such as Integrated Pest Management, Minor Crops Pest
Management, Pesticide Impact Assessment, and Pesticide Applicator Training.
The program specialist will contribute to the planning, management, and
evaluation of these and other agricultural research and extension programs.
As the federal partner in the land-grant university system, CSREES has the
unique ability to bring together university scientists and staff from other
public and private organizations to address the key production and pest
management issues of concern to farmers, homeowners, and consumers in the
United States. The CSREES mission takes its staff to every state and
territory, and to many foreign countries. You can learn more about what we
do by visiting the CSREES Website (www.reeusda.gov) and the Plant and
Animal Systems (PAS) unit's Website (www.reeusda.gov/pas).
Many CSREES employees started their careers on a land-grant university
campus, but I think it is safe to say that most of us are pleased we
decided to live and work in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding
communities in Northern Virginia and Maryland. It is truly an exciting
place to be, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to make a difference
on a national scale!
I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the vacancy announcement and
to consider submitting your application for this exciting position. If you
are not interested, please help us by passing this announcement along to
others who might be interested in applying. The vacancy announcement will
be available on the CSREES Website on January 12.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the position or life in
Washington, D.C. (202-401-4939 or mfitzner@reeusda.gov). For additional
information on application procedures contact the Human Resources Division
at (301) 504-1482. The closing date for submission of applications is
February 15, 1999.
Attachment
*******************************
RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND
ECONOMICS Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Position Title: Program Specialist (Pest Management)
Series/Grade: GS-401-9/11/12
Promotion Potential: GS-12
Salary: GS-09, beginning at $33,650 per annum
GS-11, beginning at $40,714 per annum
GS-12, beginning at $48,796 per annum
Type of Appointment: Career/Career Conditional
Location of Position: CSREES, Washington, D.C.
Announcement Number: CSREES-99-034
Opening Date: January 11, 1999
Closing Date: February 15, 1999
Area of Consideration: This is a competitive vacancy, open to all United
States citizens.
APPLICATIONS WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED FROM USDA SURPLUS AND FEDERAL
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES IN THE COMMUTING AREA. (WA-AG-05-99-033)
DUTIES: This position is located in the Plant Systems Section of the
Plant and Animal Systems Unit of CSREES. The incumbent is university
trained in a technical area of agriculture or natural resources. Under the
guidance of National Program Leaders, this expertise is applied to one or
more areas to assist in overall planning, organizing, and management of
extension/education and research programs. The programmatic focus is on
research, education, and extension of agriculture-based technologies that
address crop production and pest management needs of U.S. agriculture.
Specific areas may include, but are not limited to: pest management, crop
production, pesticide education, and program evaluation.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant must have successfully completed a 4 year
course of study leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with major study
in agronomy, entomology, nematology, plant breeding/genetics, plant
pathology, weed science, or related disciplines appropriate to the
position - OR - a combination of education and experience equivalent to
the courses listed above plus appropriate experience or additional
experience.
In addition to meeting the basic qualification, applicants must have one
year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade in the
Federal Service.
Specialized Experience is experience which is directly related to 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. To be creditable, the applicant must have one year
of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or its
non- Federal equivalent, in difficulty and level of responsibility, (i.e.,
1 year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level to qualify for the GS-9
; 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level to qualify for the
GS-11; or 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level to qualify
for the GS-12 level.) Time-in grade restrictions apply.
Applicants will be evaluated against the following quality ranking factors
to determine who is best qualified. A SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO EACH FACTOR IS
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
1. Ability to analyze, evaluate, coordinate, plan, and organize
agriculture or natural resources research and extension projects and
programs.
2. Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with
representatives at all levels of the public sector, private sector, and
academia for such purposes as: sharing information, resolving problematic
issues, managing project/programs, developing partnerships, and delivering
briefings.
3. Ability to organize, analyze, review, assess, and interpret technical,
scientific, and other information for the purposes of developing
program/project reports, position/issue papers, abstracts, progress
reports, and similar written communications.
4. Skilled in the use of automated information processing and electronic
communication equipment and software application packages, such as
database managers, spreadsheets, word processors, desktop publishing,
electronic mail and Internet.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY: Send a resume, curriculum vitae, SF-171, or Optional
Application for Federal Employment, OF-612, to the Contact address listed
below. The following information is required 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
Identify country of citizenship (U.S. citizenship is required)
Veterans' Preference (if applicable--DD214 is required)
Highest Federal civilian grade held (if applicable)
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 is required.
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
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
All status candidates who wish to be considered under both merit
promotion and non-status competitive examining must submit two (2)
complete applications. When only one (1) application is received, it
will be considered under the merit promotion procedures if the
applicant is a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement
eligibility.
Relocation Expenses:
[X] may be authorized.
[ ] 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. Well-qualified means the
applicant meets the basic qualification and eligibility requirements
and all selective placement factors; is rated above minimally
qualified against the knowledge, skills, and abilities or quality
criteria; and is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the
position upon entry. 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.
Current Federal employees and reinstatement eligibles should submit
an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, to verify competitive
eligibility.
Male applicants 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 a Federal job.
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, will not be
accepted.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE
[ ] POSTMARKED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. [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.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If applicants served on active duty in the United
States military and were separated under honorable conditions, they may be
eligible for veterans' preference. Most veterans who served during the
Gulf War era (August 2, 1990 through January 2, 1992) are eligible for
preference. Veterans who did not serve during this timeframe, but whose
service began after October 15, 1976, must have a campaign badge,
expeditionary medal, or a service-connected disability to be eligible for
preference. To claim 5-point veterans' preference, applicants must attach
a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty, or other proof of eligibility. To claim 10-point veterans'
preference, attach an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference,
plus the documentation required by that form. For further details, call
the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 912-757-3000. Select
"Federal Employment Topics" and the "Veterans." Or, dial OPM's electronic
bulletin board at 912-757-3100 or visit their VetGuide web site:
www.opm.gov/employ/html/vetguide.htm.
EEO STATEMENT: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
CONTACT:
For a copy of this vacancy announcement and/or applications forms, call
202-720-6130.
Submit applications to:
USDA, ARS, AFM, HRD
Metropolitan Services Branch
Stop 0308, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-0308
For employment information and current job opportunities:
INTERNET ADDRESS: REE Vacancy Listing, www.ars.usda.gov; CSREES Job
Opportunities,
www.reeusda.gov
DIAL-A-VACANCY: 301-504-1482
DC RELAY SERVICE: 202-855-1234 (TDD)
************************************************************
Michael Fitzner
Integrated Pest Management Program
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Phone: 202/401-4939
Fax: 401-6156
Email: mfitzner@reeusda.gov
Surface Mail:
USDA/CSREES
Mail Stop 2220
1400 Independance Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250-2220
Overnight Mail:
The Aerospace Center
901 D Street, SW #802
Washington, DC 20024-2169
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