Weed Ecologist
http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/453048300
Department: Department Of Agriculture
Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Number of Job Opportunities & Location(s): 3 vacancies - Riverdale, Maryland
Salary: $53,435.00 to $84,044.00 / Per Year Series and Grade: GS-0408-09/11 Open Period: Thursday, October 13, 2016 to Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Position Information: Term - Full-Time Who May Apply: US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.
Job Overview
Summary
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. MRP offers an array of occupations and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team!
Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) is responsible for the coordination, development, and implementation of all matters and functions pertaining to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) regulation of biotechnology as it relates to plants and plant pests, and acts as liaison on matters involving biotechnology between agencies within USDA and between USDA and governmental and private organizations. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range.
This is a term appointment not to exceed 4 years. For more details click: Term Appointments
APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Serves as an Ecologist in the BRS biotechnology permit and petition review and evaluation group. Prepares weed risk assessments (WRAs) on genetically engineered (GE) and baseline (non-GE) crops and other plants within the guidelines, or standard operating procedures.
- Collaborates with and supports other APHIS and BRS program units and other agency initiatives, including NEPA compliance and international efforts, as appropriate/upon request.
- Consults with other experts, including national and international weed scientists, to keep up with the latest developments in weed science, regulations, or policy regarding the release of certain genetically engineered organisms into the environment.
- Provides scientific, technical and analytical support to BRS management, other staff biotechnologists and other Divisions/Units of the Agency, as related to weed ecology, for the confinement and management of field trials.
- As an expert on weed science, represents BRS at professional society conferences, committees, and meetings at the national and international levels.
- Maintains professional contacts with officials in the Department, university researchers, companies, professional organizations, and the international community in the area of agricultural biotechnology and related fields.
- Serves as a technical consultant and advisor to representatives of other Federal agencies, State agencies, industry, academia, biotechnology organizations, and individuals concerning the Agency's biotechnology permitting process, review and assessment procedures associated with weeds, and the scientific bases for Agency actions and policy.
- Incumbent is responsible for maintaining familiarity with the world's weed science literature, biology and control of weeds, and field crop management and production, as they relate to advances in weed management.