Employment Opportunity

EO No: 2020-093



Position: Plant Researcher (Scientist)
Salary: P/5/D-P/8/B $23,944-$26,450.00 PA
Benefits: “Position is eligible for transportation and housing”
Opening Date: August 14, 2020
Closing Date: April 21, 2021
Location:

Kosrae Campus/CRE
P.O. Box 37
Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944

"The FSM is currently under lockdown or heavily restricted for certain types of travel internationally and between states due to the Covid 19 pandemic. All candidates as a condition of employment to be hired must be physically present in Kosrae, at least two weeks before the start of the employment period. If a candidate is selected but cannot meet this requirement this offer may be withdrawn."

Mission Statement:

The College of Micronesia-FSM is a learner-centered institution of higher education that is committed to the success of the Federated States of Micronesia by providing academic and career & technical educational programs characterized by continuous improvement and best practices.

Core Values:

The position of Plant Scientist/Plant Researcher is directly responsible to the CRE Coordinator for Cooperative Research and Extension with management support from Kosrae Campus Dean and CRE Director. The CRE/AES and this position serve and share responsibilities across the FSM. This position is based in and is primarily responsible for activities in the State of Kosrae.

Duties:

Major responsibilities include these:

  • Maintain and write grants for 3-4 hatch funded research projects applicable to the state needs and developed in consultation with state and national stakeholders and based on COM Plan of Work
  • Manage the daily operation and maintenance of the Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station tissue culture facilities, nursery, equipment, and plant stocks.
  • Seek outside funding for applicable projects; Conduct tests of field crops suitable for the conditions in Kosrae State
  • Assist the state administration to develop plans and processes to address food security issues
  • Assist the state in arranging necessary technical help/training within available budget
  • Assist the state to identify necessary, potential and possible activities to address the identified concerns of the state
  • Assist the state to identify and address the on-going and future goals for agriculture development within the state and the FSM
  • Assist in the development and delivery of formal education within the Agriculture Science specialty to students of COM-FSM on time and budget availability
  • Provide 25% of time responsibility to support and conduct extension activities with the Kosrae Cooperative Extension Services including formulation of research findings in a format suitable for extension and 75% of time responsibility for research. Report and publish research results in appropriate peer review format.
  • Perform other duties suitable to the capabilities of the researcher and the facilities
Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in Plant Science/Plant Pathology with experience in tropical pathology and plant disease management from US accredited college. Strong background in Micro-propagation techniques, protocol development for micro-propagation, laboratory and micro-propagation systems (especially tissue culture) management. Proven ability to train and mentor local staff and students on techniques of plant disease management, plant micro-propagation, and plant nursery management. Ability to travel and work in resource poor conditions. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team. Proven ability to develop grant proposal and secure funding from sources other than state and college based funding. Proven ability to manage people and funds to satisfy the audit requirements of national and/or international funding agencies. Ability to formulate and work in a team setting, to develop and encourage collaboration with State, National, Federal, Regional and international partners when possible and when necessary.

Foreign credentials must be equated to US standards using World Education Services at http://www.wes.org.

Contact:
Applications are available at the College of Micronesia FSM Human Resources Office, state campus sites or at the colleges website at www.comfsm.fm.
Process:

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

  1. A letter of interest addressing how the candidate’s professional qualification and experience match the minimum essential requirements of the position (not to exceed 3 pages);
  2. COM-FSM application form (http://www.comfsm.fm/jobs/HRdocs/employment08.pdf );
  3. A current resume which includes personal email address and cellular phone number;
  4. Copies of college transcripts for all degrees earned;
  5. A minimum of three professional reference letters under 6 months old;
  6. Court report under six months old; and
  7. Driver's license.

Documents are to be submitted electronically to hro@comfsm.fm (preferably as PDF attachments) or mailed to:

Human Resources Office
College of Micronesia-FSM
P. O. Box 159
Pohnpei  FM  96941

 (U.S Postal Service domestic rates apply in the Federated States of Micronesia.)

Applications will be accepted until April 21, 2021followed by screening by the committee or until filled. Official and hard copies of college transcripts are require to be mailed directly from schools to HRO when a candidate is being considered.

The College reserves the right to request or require from any applicant additional documentation or certification in addition to the minimum requirements stated in this advertisement in order to be considered for this position. All persons applying must meet or exceed any additional qualifications required in the COM-FSM Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual.


The College of Micronesia-FSM is an equal opportunity employer.
FSM Citizens are encouraged to apply