Director, US Meat Animal Reserach Center (Clay Center, NE)
Full-Time
Salary: $131,767-$205,800
Job Description: The incumbent is a member of the Senior Science and Technology Service (SSTS) and serves as Center Director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, NE. There are currently four Research Units with 117 FTE and 47 scientists at the location with a budget of $22.8 million federal base funds. The main facility consists of laboratories and offices, state of the art animal handling facilities including a feed mill and feed lot, maintenance buildings, and over 30,000 acres of land. The Mission of USMARC is to develop scientific information and new technology to solve high priority problems for the U.S. beef, sheep and swine industries and users.
If you would like to work for a premier agency focused on enhancing the quality of life for the American people by supporting production of agriculture; ensuring safe, affordable, nutritious and accessible food supply; forest and range lands; supporting sound development of rural communities; providing economic opportunities for farm and rural residents; expanding global markets for agricultural and forest products and services; and working to reduce hunger in America and throughout the world, then the USDA is for you. To learn more about our agency, our exciting mission, vision and guiding principles, please visit http://www.usda.gov.
Job Duties: The incumbent is a nationally and/or internationally recognized authority and leader in a specialized field of food animal genetics, breeding and reproduction, animal nutrition, meats science, animal production systems, bioengineering related to animal science or animal health/veterinary medicine. The position provides program and administrative leadership/administration for USMARC. The incumbent is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating research programs designed to accomplish the organizational mission and research objectives of ARS. In addition the incumbent serves as the primary point of contact for the Center.
As appropriate supports the Agency programs concerning humane care and use of all vertebrate animals. The animal care and use program ensures compliance with all government regulations, standards and policies dealing with animal care and use; that all employees who work with animals are appropriately trained.
Serves as a representative of the Agency on various policy boards, committees, and advisory groups that develop policy guidance and guidelines within the broad area of animal production.
Serves in a leadership role for research program planning, as well as implementation of the overall research missions, goals and policies of ARS. These activities involve interpretations of general policy and difficult and important decisions regarding the conduct, coordination, and integration of fundamental and applied interdisciplinary research programs in relation to available resources.
Keeps the Area Director fully informed of program 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 location and research program.. Identifies new problem areas requiring attention and recommends approaches to be taken. Recommends curtailment or termination of unproductive research programs or programs that have completed their missions.
Participates with the Area Director and other research program leaders in ARS in developing criteria for budgetary priorities and projections. Provides leadership in developing and coordinating research program projections. Evaluates and consolidates budgetary requests such that program objectives can be met within the existing resources.
Provides leadership, direction and systematic approaches to identify research needs of stakeholders. Fosters and develops cooperative relationships to address the needs of ARS and the location. Remains primary contact for all cooperative activities with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Required Qualifications:
- Have conducted outstanding research in the fields of animal 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; and
- 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.
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.
The incumbent must have demonstrated technical and professional knowledge in animal science, animal production and protection, meats science, animal health, and animal genetics. A Ph.D. in any of the disciplines listed above is required.
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