Biological Science Specialist (Program Specialist)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture • Kansas City, MO

11d • Onsite

About The Position

These positions are located in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA): Institute of Youth, Family, and Community (IYFC ); and Institute of Food Production and Sustainability (IFPS) located in Kansas City, MO. In these positions, you will serve as an advanced trainee and be responsible for providing technical support to the National Program Leader(s) throughout the complete program funding process. You will serve as a resource to National Program Leaders, promoting the agency's research, education, and extension portfolio to advance the strategic goals and management objectives of NIFA and the Department. You will interact with scientists across the country and support the peer review process. You will work with grantees throughout the life of projects, assessing progress and intervening as appropriate; deliver grantsmanship workshops and presentations. You will gather accomplishments of projects and programs and communicate overall impacts through a variety of mechanisms (e.g., presentations, newsletters, etc.). You will participate in special projects requiring cross-function interactions to improve processes and expand knowledge.

Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen or US 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 one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.
• This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
• Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• GS-09 Qualifying experience: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience performing professional, scientific, or technical tasks in a research education or extension project or program; performing scientific analysis; and technical writing in support of assigned projects.
• OR GS-09 Degree: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related. Related degrees may include plant science, animal science, plant science, animal science, food nutrition, family and consumer sciences, agriculture, agricultural economics, the environment, or youth development.
• OR GS-09 Combination of education and experience: A combination of graduate level education and experience.
• GS-11 Qualifying experience: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience providing technical assistance; implementing or modifying program or project requirements; performing preliminary reviews or analysis of new program or project data; or presenting scientific or technical information to academic or professional audiences.
• OR GS-11 Degree: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree if related. Related degrees may include plant science, animal science, food nutrition, family and consumer sciences, agriculture, agricultural economics, the environment, or youth development.
• OR GS-11 Combination of education and experience: A combination of Ph.D level education and experience.
• GS-12 Qualifying experience: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience performing a variety of recurring professional, scientific, or technical tasks; solving minor problems; performing scientific analysis; technical writing in support of assigned projects; participating in the development or review of program solicitations and regulations; and coordinating multiple programs within and outside an organization.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource to National Program Leaders, promoting the agency's research, education, and extension portfolio to advance the strategic goals and management objectives of NIFA and the Department.
• Interact with scientists across the country and support the peer review process.
• Work with grantees throughout the life of projects, assessing progress and intervening as appropriate.
• Deliver grantsmanship workshops and presentations.
• Gather accomplishments of projects and programs and communicate overall impacts through a variety of mechanisms (e.g., presentations, newsletters, etc.).
• Participate in special projects requiring cross-function interactions to improve processes and expand knowledge.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree