Biological Scientist

**Duties**:

- The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
- Conducts regulatory status review of modified plants, responds to requests for confirmation of regulatory exemption for modified plants, and communicates regulatory status to stakeholders.
- Prepares plant pest risk assessments and weediness; responds to public comments regarding these risk assessments.
- Prepares a variety of authorization documents, reports, and technical analyses on different aspects of biotechnology related to the protection of plant health, public health, and natural resources.
- Primary contact regarding the evaluation of compliance incidents to provide scientific expertise and recommendations on mitigation.
- Represents BRS at professional society conferences, committees, and meetings at the national and international levels.
- Provide scientific support in the development or revision of BRS policy, guidelines, standards, information requirements, and strategic goals.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Individuals who were born male 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.
- Experience in biotechnology matters related to plant ecology/plant science.
- Travel to field locations, agricultural production settings, on-site reviews of proposed projects, field tours, project-related briefings, and presentations at industry and professional scientific meetings may be necessary.
- On occasion, it may be necessary to lift or carry reports, publications, and similar objects, as well as perform extended walking and standing associated with on-site reviews and inspections.

**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 REQUIREMENT**: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.
- **Selective Placement Factor: Experience in biotechnology matters related to plant ecology/plant science.**
**Plant Ecology**:Example of relevant sciences are - plant ecology, invasive biology, weed science/ ecology, community ecology, tree biology, horticulture, agronomy, genetic engineering and biotechnology, molecular biology, and other closely aligned scientific disciplines.
- **FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL**:Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

- Professional knowledge of scientific concepts, principles, methodology, and practices and familiarity in one or more of the following disciplines: tree biology, silviculture, horticulture, plant ecology, invasive biology, weed science or weed ecology, community ecology, genetic engineering and biotechnology, molecular biology, and other closely aligned scientific disciplines.
- Analyze scientific data and prepare technical documentation in plant science.
- Experience preparing reports, guidance documents, position papers, articles or presentations on different aspects of plant science.
- Experience with scientific writing and development of peer-reviewed journal articles related to tree biology, silviculture, horticulture, plant ecology, invasive biology, weed science or weed ecology, community ecology, genetic engineering and biotechnology, molecular biology, and other closely aligned scientific disciplines.

**OR** 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree _or_ Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
- **TRANSCRIPTS** are required:

- This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
- You are qualifying for the position based on education.
- You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
- This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university

**COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL**: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualificat