Job in Montpellier - Agricultural Research Assistant


















POSITION:


PC-7331 – Agricultural Research Assistant, FSN-08, FP-06**



OPENING DATE:


February 19, 2016



CLOSING DATE:


March 4, 2016 FOR THREE WEEKS



WORK HOURS:


Full-time: 40 hours/week for Not Ordinarily Residents


Full-time: 35 hours/week for Ordinarily Residents



SALARY:


Not Ordinarily Resident: FP-06 (Final salary will be confirmed by Washington based on applicants’ qualifications and prior work experience**).


Ordinarily Resident: € 39.853,00 gross p.a. (starting salary)




* This position is being advertised simultaneously with the Full Performance Level, FSN-09, FP-05/01


** Actual grade and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant


The European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL) in Montpellier is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of an Agricultural Research Assistant.


BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:


The incumbent conducts research on the discovery and evaluation of biological control agents of invasive arthropod pests or weeds. Basic objectives include identifying target species and their geographic origin, discovering prospective arthropod biological control agents, evaluating them for host specificity and potential efficacy, and providing them to American collaborators. Field work may involve travel to foreign countries. Incumbent’s activities may include exploration to discover biological control agents of invasive species (including field work in France and other countries in Europe, Asia or Africa). Independently establishes and maintains interactions with scientists internationally. Successful completion of projects includes publication in international scientific journals, and oral presentation of results at scientific meetings. The incumbent may supervise technicians or student interns.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office (ParisRecruitment@state.gov).


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:


Notes:


1) Applicants are required to submit their cover letter(s), signed DS-174 form(s), and a list of scientific publication(s) in English and French if a position is advertised with an English and French Language Level of 3/3 or higher (standard resumes are no longer accepted).



2) Applicants are required to submit the proof of the required education level.



3) Applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Items 1-5 are all required.



1. Education:


At least a Ph.D. (doctoral) degree in entomology, ecology, evolution, behavior, or taxonomy of arthropods.



2. Prior Work Experience:


A minimum of two years of experience performing entomological or biological research and be the author of two scientific publications is required.



3. Language proficiency (This may be tested):


English (W-R-S), Level-4 – Fluency is required.



4. Knowledge (These may be tested):


An expert knowledge in entomology, experimental design and biological control is required. A good knowledge in botany, ecology and statistics is required.


A basic knowledge of Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America sufficient to be able to make intelligent choices on scientific projects and field work is required.



5. Skills and abilities (These may be tested):


Skill and ability to conduct research on entomology, including choosing research objectives, designing experiments, operation research equipment (microscopes, incubators, autoclave), and to use a computer to analyze data using specialized software and write papers are required.


Skill and ability to cooperate with other scientists and supervise assistants and students, including people from other cultures or different backgrounds are required.


Ability to travel to foreign countries to conduct exploration and cooperative research is required. Ability to work inside a quarantine laboratory is required.


Must possess a valid French driver's license (permis “B”).



SELECTION PROCESS:


When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specifically address the required qualifications above in their application.



HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:


(1) USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran


(2) USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran


(3) FS on LWOP



ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA (see definitions):


1. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.


2. Current Ordinarily Resident employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.


3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.5. Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their appointment, unless currently hired into a position with a “When Actually Employed” (WAE) work schedule.



HOW TO APPLY:


Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application package will not be considered.



  1. Applicants who claim EFM or MOH status must include in the cover letter accompanying their application that they are claiming EFM/MOH status, their present nationality, and name and employing section/agency of their sponsoring family member.

  2. 2. Applicants are required to submit their cover letters and the signed DS-174 form(s) in English and French if a position is advertised with an English and French Language Level of 3/3 or higher (standard resumes are no longer accepted).




  1. 3. Proof of the required education level.

  2. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, driver license) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

  3. IMPORTANT: Applicants claiming a U.S. Veteran’s preference must submit written documentation confirming eligibility (e.g., Member Copy 4 of Form DD-214, Letter from the Veteran’s Administration, or certification documenting eligibility under the VOW Act with an expected discharge no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted) by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veteran’s preference will not be considered in the application process. Specific criteria for receiving a U.S. Veteran’s preference may be found in HR/OE’s Family Member Employment Policy (FMEP).



WHERE TO APPLY:


Human Resources Office Jerome and Lucie


Mailing Address: ParisRecruitment@state.gov


Please send your application only by email.