Chemist

Summary This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area, Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center in Fargo, ND. In this position, you will be providing crop sample analysis research within a laboratory. You will research and manage crop samples from collaborators to conduct experiments, analyses and develop new methodologies. Responsibilities Carrying out measurements and analyses by applying established chemical methods. Devising experimental protocols to help meet program objectives. Maintaining official laboratory notebook in accordance with good laboratory practices. Analyzing the research results according to established principles and procedures. Determining the proper experimental approach to meet research objective. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 A. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR B. Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements GS-09 Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes 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. For this position, specialized experience is participating in plant research and conducting chemical experiments and analyses; operating specialized laboratory equipment; and analyzing and compiling data related to plant research. OR Education: Successful completion of two (2) full years of graduate level education or a master's degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, analytical biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacology, and toxicology. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. GS-11 Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes 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. For this position specialized experience is conducting chemical experiments and sampling plant material for chemical analysis; providing technical guidance for plant research program; designing and executing experimental techniques related to chemical analysis of plant samples; and writing laboratory reports or preparing manuscripts related to chemistry. OR Education: Successful completion of three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, analytical biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacology, and toxicology. OR A combination of graduate level education and experience as described above. 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information 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 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position is designated as a bargaining unit position and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).