Summary

Many Research Geneticist (Plants) positions will be filled at different locations within the Agricultural Research Service. Research projects focus on plant improvements, which may include agronomic qualities, nutritional quality, increased production, enhanced uses, or reduction of plant pathogen, pest, or abiotic stress impacts, using genetic/genomic approaches. Incumbent is responsible for devising, planning, conducting, and reporting research completed under assigned research project.

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This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Duties

Generate genetic knowledge and products to improve crop production and crop quality and increase U.S. capacity to produce crops of high quality, with reduced farm-inputs (such as reduced pesticides, water, and fertilizer) and increased production.
Produce improved crops that are more durable than what is currently present in these crops creating more stable yields, increased producer profits, and improved U.S. food security.
Characterize and identify plant germplasm of interest to the research project.
Identify and develop molecular markers for predicting performance of those markers.
Conduct high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping to quantitatively measure and characterize variation of desirable traits in plants.
Perform traditional breeding, marker-assisted selection, and genome editing.
Utilize interdisciplinary approaches, such as population biology, that will inform breeding decisions and management strategies.
Transfer knowledge, tools, germplasm, and genetic markers to stakeholders, including other breeders in industry and academia.
Employ conventional and novel technologies to find innovative solutions to stakeholder challenges.
Analyze, interpret, and report research results in the form of presentations, publications, and technical reports.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Successful completion of a 3-year probationary period.
Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.

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.

Basic Requirements for Genetics Series, 0440
Degree: genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics.

Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics.

Evaluation of Education: Most students in the field take graduate work because specific training in genetics may be limited at the undergraduate level. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to evaluate undergraduate course work in genetics in one of two ways, as described below, to determine whether or not it is qualifying.

Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation.

Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable.

Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.

GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position OR 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are:

Conducting research related to plant genetic improvement; AND
Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings; AND
Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are:

Planning and conducting research related to improving crop productivity, disease and pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, or consumer quality; AND
Presenting research findings at scientific conferences; AND
Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

GS-14: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-14 level are:

Planning, conducting, and leading team research related to improving crop productivity, disease and pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and consumer quality; AND
Presenting research findings at scientific conferences; AND
Publishing independent research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
Establishing or expanding collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

GS-15: Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-15 level are:

Developing, executing, and managing a research program related to crop improvement; AND
Presenting research findings at national and international scientific conferences; AND
Publishing independent research findings related to crop improvement as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
Serving as Principal Investigator on a collaborative research grant.

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.

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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

The selectee's assigned research area/crop focus will be based on duty station. Available duty stations and associated research areas/crop foci are noted below. You will be given the opportunity to select which duty station(s) you would like to be considered for when submitting your application.

Aberdeen, ID - Potato, Barley
Albany, CA - Produce Safety, Wheat
Charleston, SC - Brassica Crops
Fargo, ND - Cereal Crops, Sunflower
Florence, SC - Cotton
Geneva, NY - Grape
Hilo, HI - Coffee
Jackson, TN - Soybean
Lincoln, NE - Forage Crops
Logan, UT - Forage Legumes, Rangeland Grasses
Lubbock, TX - Cotton
Madison, WI - Potato, Carrot, Onion, Cranberry
Miami, FL - Cacao
Mississippi State (Starkville), MS - Corn, Corn Mycotoxin
Parlier, CA - Prunus, Citrus
Poplarville, MS - Small Fruits - Blueberry, Muscadine Grapes
Prosser, WA - Hops
Pullman, WA - Dry Pea, Lentil
Raleigh, NC - Soybean
Saint Paul, MN - Alfalfa
Stoneville, MS - Soybean
Stuttgart, AR - Rice
Tifton, GA - Grass, Forage
Urbana, IL - Soybean
Woodward, OK - Forage Crops

Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply at all grade levels. A peer review will be required for selections made at grades GS-13 and above and the selectee will be required to submit supplemental materials.

CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must 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. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 71 out of a possible 100.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

This position may be eligible to telework, as determined by agency policy. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958916.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral.

It is also strongly recommended that you submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. NOTE: This research field specific information can be submitted under the "Other" document option.

If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 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 claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS.
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 per 5 CFR 330.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing. Resumes must not exceed two pages.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable. Please ensure your resume does not exceed two pages. Applicants who submit a resume that exceeds two pages will be removed from consideration.

Agency contact information

Heather Lee

Phone

301-956-3803

heather.lee@usda.gov

Address

Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave
Beltsville, MD 20705
US

Next steps

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 3-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.

You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to Adrianne.Lewis@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

05/12/2026 to 06/25/2026

Salary

$89,508 - $192,331 per year

Salary listed is based on the Rest of U.S. pay scale. Actual salary will be based on the geographic location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade

GS 12 - 15

Locations

Many vacancies in the following locations:

Stuttgart, AR

Albany, CA

Parlier, CA

Miami, FL

Show morefewer locations (21)

Tifton, GA

Hilo, HI

Aberdeen, ID

Urbana, IL

Saint Paul, MN

Mississippi State, MS

Poplarville, MS

Stoneville, MS

Raleigh, NC

Fargo, ND

Lincoln, NE

Geneva, NY

Woodward, OK

Charleston, SC

Florence, SC

Jackson, TN

Lubbock, TX

Logan, UT

Prosser, WA

Pullman, WA

Madison, WI

Remote job

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Local, domestic, and international travel is required for field work and to attend scientific meetings and conferences.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

0440 Genetics

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status

Announcement number

ARS-D26MWA-12958916-HCL

Control number

868877900

US Agricultural Research Service

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