PDF versionJob Summary
Incumbent serves as Research Leader in the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC), Cell Wall Biology and Utilization Research Unit (CWBURU). The mission of CWBURU is to develop innovations in ruminant nutrition, animal and rumen microbial genomics, plant molecular biology/biochemistry and microbiology to improve the nutritional value of forages and efficiency of dairy cows for enhanced production leading to more environmentally and economically sustainable dairy forage production systems.
Major Duties
- Developing plant or animal physiological, biochemical, biome shifts, genomic modifications and/or metabolomic innovations.
- Ensuring innovations are practically achievable and sustainable and have potential to produce economic gain for dairy producers that rely on forages as a resource.
- Using plant or animal physiological, biochemical, biome shifts, genomic modifications and/or metabolomic insights to provide strategies for altering plant, conserved forage and/or environment/conditions/microbiome in ruminant digestive tract.
- Validating strategies through collaboration with Unit, Center and other scientific expertise as necessary.
- Supervisory duties include:
- Planning, organizing, enhancing and maintaining the creativity and productivity of the Research Unit.
- Providing supervision over and professional development of scientists and support personnel assigned to the unit.
- Hiring appropriate personnel and managing the human, fiscal and physical resources assigned to the Unit.
- Serving as the Unit fund holder.
- Providing technical information and consultation to both internal and external cooperators and stakeholders, in consultation with the USDFRC Director.
- Ensuring the proper interpretation and reporting of CWBURU's scientific research results.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series/position titles listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must submit proof that they meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements. Basic Requirements: General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401 A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Agronomy Series, 0471 A. Degree: 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
B. 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 shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Animal Science Series, 0487 A. Degree: animal science, dairy science, poultry science; or a related discipline or field of animal science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, and 20 semester hours in animal science. At least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in courses dealing with the breeding, feeding, production, and management of livestock, and the care and preparation of their products.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, including a minimum of 20 semester hours in appropriate animal science subjects, as described in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements: Applicants must meet the basic requirements for one of the series shown above as well as the specialized experience requirements shown below to qualify for the GS-14 or GS-15 grade levels. GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service.
* Planning and conducting independent research related to dairy forage production systems;
* Managing human, fiscal and physical resources to accomplish research goals; and * Publishing independent research results related to dairy forage production systems in peer-reviewed scientific journals. GS-15: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service.
* Leading a multidisciplinary team conducting research related to dairy forage production systems;
* Managing human, fiscal and physical resources to accomplish research goals; * Presenting research results related to dairy forage production systems to professional societies and others outside of organization; and * Publishing independent research results related to dairy forage production systems in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Applicants must address the specialized experience requirements in their resume (or application documents). Applications that do not reflect the specialized experience requirements will not be deemed qualified. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Supervisory/Managerial Competencies - the following KSAs will also be used to evaluate candidates in the interview and selection process: 1. Ability to lead and accomplish work through others (i.e. team building, conflict management, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, technology management, and political savvy.)
2. Ability to communicate with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations.
Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$107,807.00 - $164,858.00