Center Director ETSARC

Summary The incumbent is a member of the Senior Science and Technology Service (SSTS) and serves as the Center Director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center (ETSARC) Plains Area located in Fargo, North Dakota. Responsibilities Actively serves in a leadership role for research program planning and implementation of the overall research missions, goals, and policies in the Plains Area (PA), primarily responsible for these activities at the ETSARC. Keeps the PA Area Director fully informed of the units’ programs and related considerations having a significant bearing on the development of research priorities and projections, budgets, and use of facilities based on the needs of the ETSARC. Participates with the PA Area Director and other research program leaders in developing criteria for budgetary priorities and projections. Providing leadership in developing and coordinating research program projections. Provides leadership, direction and approach to identify research needs of stakeholders and reviews research plans for Research Leaders. Forecasts the resources required and projections of time required to make advances that impact research. Leads and targets the science mission and direction of Research Leaders in the ETSARC and evaluates the effectiveness of program operations. Provides leadership to foster and develop cooperative relationships to increase the effectiveness of scientific programs and explores partnerships. Has the responsibility for ensuring the quality of all CRIS Research Project proposals and their preparation for external review coordinated by the OSQR. Has the responsibility for administrative oversight for institutional biosafety and animal use and care programs. Provides the PA Area Director and other officials with advice on highly technical problems in transdisciplinary programs conducted at the ETSARC. Proactively partners and communicates with all local, regional, and national stakeholders to identify stakeholder needs and improve stakeholder support. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications – Have conducted outstanding research in the fields of animal or plant science, as determined by a Qualifications Assessment Board; – Have earned a doctoral level degree at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 u.s.c.1001), – Have national or international recognition authority and leadership in an area of widespread scientific interest and investigation; – Meet the qualification standards prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for appointment to a position at the GS-15 level of the General Schedule. – Directing the work of an organizational unit. – Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects. – Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance; and – Supervising the work of employees; and exercising important policy-making, policy determining, or other executive functions. Education For 0401- 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Degree: Chemistry, biological sciences, agriculture, plant physiology, plant genetics, entomology, plant pathology, pest management, molecular biology, soil science, agronomy, agricultural engineering, remote/proximal sensing or plant pest management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. A Ph.D. in any of the disciplines listed above is required. Additional Information Consideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications. Race, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, marital or family status, disability, and other non-merit factors will not be considered. 1. This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). This law also requires the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment. 2. Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered. 3. The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs. 4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November 8, 1985. 5. All application forms are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become the property of USDA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency at 202-260-8128. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.