On this page:

• Current NPA Job Openings (updated weekly)
• Why Join the NPA?
• Additional ARS Job Listings
• Applicant Tips and Resources
• Student/Summer Employment

Helpful Links to related NPA pages:

• Life in the NPA
• Employment Options Explained
• Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
• "Voices" Publication

Why Join the NPA?

The Northern Plains Area offers a multitude of interesting and challenging career opportunities in a variety of disciplines as well as temporary employment for students and post-docs.  In addition, skilled administrative support jobs are also found at NPA's 14 locations, all of which are located in family-friendly small to mid-sized cities, and most with a college or university nearby.

The home communities of NPA locations provide enviable and affordable lifestyles – friendly neighborhoods, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, outstanding school systems, and rewarding career possibilities. And the NPA work environment is equally inviting. Consider that our USDA-ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska was named one of the “Best places to work, 2006” by Scientist magazine for its sense of mission, collaboration, research resources and freedom, living costs, geographic location and personal fulfillment. (For more detail, see our August 2007 issue of VOICES .) Those same factors are typical of our other NPA locations, as well.

To learn more about a specific research location and its surrounding community select from the list at right and/or check out our “Life in the NPA ” page for convenient links to key websites providing information on schools, recreation, business climate and more for each of our 14 research locations.

And finally, while we hope you will consider joining us, we realize your personal circumstances may require you to look for job opportunities outside the NPA. If that’s the case we encourage you to visit the ARS Careers website (linked here ) where you’ll find listings for openings at ARS research facilities found all across the nation.

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Below is a list of positions currently vacant in the Northern Plains Area, listed by state and updated weekly. To find out more about each post that interests you, click on the link provided. Additional information may also be available at each NPA location linked above (right-hand navigation bar) and at the ARS Careers website (see “Additional ARS Job Listings ” below).

Please note: Postdoctoral Research Associate vacancies in the NPA are not listed here. However, a link to a list of postdoc vacancies can be found below in the "Additional ARS Job Listings " section.

Colorado
Associate Director , Northern Plains Area, ES-00, Fort Collins, CO
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=76350455
Closing Date: Friday, November 14, 2008

Kansas
Sorry, we have no openings at this time.

Montana
Custodial Worker, WG-02, Sidney, MT
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=76847942
Closing Date:  Friday, November 7, 2008

Nebraska
Sorry, we have no openings at this time.

North Dakota
Sorry, we have no openings at this time.

South Dakota
Sorry, we have no openings at this time.

Utah 
Plant Physiologist/Geneticist/Mycologist (Research Associate), GS-11/12, Logan, UT
http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/hrdhomepage/vacancy/09004.htm
Closing Date: Open until filled

Wyoming
Sorry, we have no openings at this time.

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To view the complete list of open vacancy announcements for ARS, use the links below:

• Scientists and Engineers
• Postdoctoral Research Associates
• All Other Jobs

To learn more about career opportunities with the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, visit the ARS Careers website:

• ARS Careers
• "ARS in a Flash" - Good overview of ARS careers with advice and links for jobseekers
  • ARS in a Flash - English version (pdf)
  • ARS in a Flash - Spanish version (pdf)

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• Tips for Tackling the Application Process
• What Are Those KSA’s?
• The Hiring Process
• Application Forms
  • Also available at www.opm.gov
• Who Do I Call?
  • Applicants may also contact the Area Human Resources Office, Jan Jones, 970-492-7002
• Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO)
  • This link takes you to the NPA ODEO Service Sector page, which not only includes information on disability resources, but also on civil rights policies and the EEO process, along with a list of ARS special emphasis observances.
• Employment Benefits
• Subscribe to ARSJobs
  • Get notified as vacancies occur for various job series

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• Summer Employment Information

ARS research facilities in the Northern Plains regularly hire college and high school students during the busy summer field season. To find out about summer openings at a particular location, please visit that location’s website (links above right) and click on Careers. You may also contact the Administrative Officer at each site for information on application procedures, deadlines, etc. Information on ARS Student Internships are included here, as follows:  

Summer Internship (College Students)

• This program offers currently enrolled college students excellent summer paid internships to work with research scientists or other professionals in agriculturally related fields.  The rate of pay is generally at the GS-3 level for an eight week internship.

Summer Apprenticeship (High School Students)

• This program is similar to the summer internship program, except that this is for high school students, and the rate of pay is generally at the GS-1 level for an eight week apprenticeship.

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