# Presentation: 042714

## Careers in the

## Agricultural Research Service

- Principal in-house research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- One of four component agencies of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area

- www.ars.usda.gov

## Agricultural Research Service Mission

- ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provides information access and dissemination to
- ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products,
- assess the nutritional needs of Americans,
- sustain a competitive agricultural economy,
- enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and
- provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

## Agricultural Research Service

- Workforce: 8,000 total employees
- 			 2,000 research scientists
- About 1,200 research projects

## ARS Research is divided into 4 major National Programs

- Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality
- Animal Production and Protection
- Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems
- Crop Production and Protection

## ARS PROGRAMS: Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality

- Research Focus –
- Human Nutrition
- Food Safety (animal and plant products)
- Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products

## ARS PROGRAMS: Animal Production and Protection

- Research Focus –
- Food Animal Production
- Animal Health
- Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology
- Animal Well-Being and Stress Control Systems
- Aquaculture

## Research Focus –
Water Quality and Management
Soil Resource Management
Air Quality
Global Change
Rangeland, Pasture and Forages
Manure and Byproduct Utilization
Integrated Agricultural Systems
Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives

- Water Quality and Management
- Soil Resource Management
- Air Quality
- Global Change
- Rangeland, Pasture and Forages
- Manure and Byproduct Utilization
- Integrated Agricultural Systems
- Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives

**ARS PROGRAMS: **
***Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems***

## Research Focus –
Plant, Microbial, and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement
Plant Biological and Molecular Processes
Plant Diseases
Crop Protection and Quarantine
Crop Production
Methyl Bromide Alternatives

- Plant, Microbial, and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement
- Plant Biological and Molecular Processes
- Plant Diseases
- Crop Protection and Quarantine
- Crop Production
- Methyl Bromide Alternatives

**ARS PROGRAMS: *****Crop Production and Protection***

## ARS Research Locations(Divided into 8 Regions)

**ARS Research Locations****(Divided into 8 Regions)**

**International Locations** Montpellier, France; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Brisbane, Australia; Beijing, China

**Over 100 U.S. Locations**

## ARS Programs at Headquarters

- Office of the Administrator
- National Program Staff
- Office of Technology Transfer
- Office of International Research Programs
- Administrative and Financial Management
- National Agricultural Library

## ARS Research...

- Touches the lives of every American!

## In the food we eat...

## In the clothes we wear...

## In the products we buy...

## Careers in ARS

- ARS employs –
- Research Scientists
- Postdoctoral Research Associates
- Professional, Administrative, and Technical Staff
- Secretarial and Clerical Staff
- Trades and Crafts Workers
- Student and Summer Employees

## ARS employs scientists educated in various life, physical and engineering science disciplines 

| Agricultural EngineeringAnimal ScienceBioinformatics ChemistryFood SafetyHydrologyMicrobiologyPathologyPhysicsSoil ScienceVirology  | Agronomy Biochemistry Biology Entomology Genetics Immunology Nutrition Physical Science Plant Science
Veterinary Science
 |
| --- | --- |

- ARS employs scientists educated in various life, physical and engineering science disciplines

## Professional, Administrative, and Technical Staff(Scientific Support Staff)

- Includes non-research staff working in the life, physical, and engineering science disciplines
- Other occupational areas include:

| Administrative ManagementArchitecture and Engineering Budget and FinanceInformation TechnologyEnvironmental Protection
Facilities Management
Human Resources | Librarians
Procurement and ContractingPublic Affairs and Related Fields
Safety and Health
Technical Information Specialist |
| --- | --- |

## Federal Employment Benefits

- Ten paid holidays each year
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Federal Employees Retirement System
- Thrift Savings Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Federal Long-term Care Insurance

## Family Friendly Programs

- Flexible Work and Leave Schedules
- Voluntary Leave Transfer Program
- Telecommuting Options
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Transit Subsidies
- Child Care Centers (at some locations)
- Credit Unions (at some locations)

## Commitment to Diversity

- ARS employees, supervisors, and managers are committed to building, maintaining, and retaining a diverse, high-quality workforce –
- Where employees are recognized and their talents are valued;
- Where barriers to employment are eliminated and employees are treated fairly;
- Where employees are encouraged to openly express their ideas and opinions to solve problems of national and international scope.

- http://www.ars.usda.gov/aboutus/docs.htm?docid=1323

*Scientific and Related Careers with ARS*

## Come work for us...

- Where YOU can impact everyday life in America!

- www.ars.usda.gov/careers

## Find out more...

- http://www.ars.usda.gov/Careers/

**ARS Recruitment Office**

- 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5144
- Beltsville, Maryland  20705-5144
- 301-504-1709 (Phone)
- 301-504-1740 (Fax)