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Summary This position is with the Agricultural Research Service, Cotton Ginning Research Unit in Las Cruces, NM. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel. Responsibilities Perform research to develop sensors and techniques for cotton ginning process measurement, control, and automation; new cotton ginning equipment and processes to improve fiber quality. Develop collaborations and interact with other government and university researchers, and cotton industry professionals to develop research plans and conduct tests in the laboratory, in the field, and at commercial facilities. Properly collect, analyze, and interpret scientific research and information to develop new knowledge, devices, and processes of direct value to the cotton industry. Report information to the research community and cotton industry at technical conferences and industry meetings. Prepare written manuscripts to document scientific research for review and publication in professional articles and peer-reviewed journals. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This position serves as a Research Agricultural Engineer, Research Mechanical Engineer, Research Electrical Engineer, or Research Physical Scientist at the Agricultural Research Service, Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Las Cruces, New Mexico to develop new information and technologies that make cotton ginning and agricultural processing faster, less damaging, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly. The incumbent is a Research Agricultural Engineer, Research Mechanical Engineer, Research Electrical Engineer, or Research Physicist at the Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The incumbent leads and collaborates on personal research and has full responsibility for planning and conducting a research program with the broad objective to develop new information and technologies that make cotton ginning and agricultural processing faster, less damaging, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly. Due to the nature of this Research Position please provide a CV or list of publications to better determine your research experience. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Specialized Experience In addition to meeting the basic requirements described below, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-11: Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Master's or equivalent graduate degree 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position (i.e. agricultural, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or physical science) and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience requirements for the GS-11 level are defined as: Participating as a member of a research team related to developing devices and techniques for process measurement, control, and automation; or new technologies and processes to improve product quality, process efficiency, or environmental footprints. Analyzing experimental data and communicating engineering or physical science research results through technical presentations and in peer-reviewed scientific journals. GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position (i.e. agricultural, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or physical science) and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level are defined as: Conducting basic and applied research related to developing devices and techniques for process measurement, control, and automation; or new technologies and processes to improve product quality, process efficiency, or environmental footprints. Presenting research findings at technical conferences. Publishing as lead author results relating to engineering or physical science research in peer-reviewed scientific journals. GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level are defined as: Conceiving, planning, and conducting research related to developing devices and techniques for process measurement, control, and automation; or new technologies and processes to improve product quality, process efficiency, or environmental footprints. Leading team research to develop new techniques, technologies, or new knowledge in engineering or physical science. Presenting research findings at national or international conferences. Lead author on multiple publications relating to engineering or physical science research in peer-reviewed scientific journals. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level are defined as: Producing publications as the primary author for those that impact the advancement of the field or are viewed as authoritative. Conceiving and formulating research ideas and plans that advance the field of science or is used as a reference by other scientists. Experience participating in Symposia that define the state of the discipline or introduce new areas in the field. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. Education Basic Requirements In addition to meeting the Specialized Experience described above, applicants must also meet the basic education requirements as stated below and found in the OPM Qualification Standards Operating Manual for General Schedule Positions. To verify you meet the education requirement please provide a copy of your transcripts. Research Agricultural Engineer/Research Mechanical Engineer/Research Electrical Engineer, GS-0890/0830/0850 Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) Research Physical Scientist GS-1301 Degree: Physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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 71 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. 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.