--- kind: "section" citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7657" title: "7" title_heading: "Agriculture" number: "7657" heading: "Senior Scientific Research Service" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7657" units: - "Chapter 103 — Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform" - "Subchapter III — Miscellaneous Provisions" - "Part B — General" --- # §7657. Senior Scientific Research Service - (a) **In general—** There is established in the [Department](/usc/7/7601.md?p=5) of Agriculture the Senior Scientific Research Service (referred to in this section as the “Service”). - (b) **Members—** - (1) **In general—** Subject to paragraphs [(2)](#b-2) through [(4)](#b-4), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) shall appoint the members of the Service. - (2) **Qualifications—** To be eligible for appointment to the Service, an individual shall— - (A) have conducted outstanding research in the field of agriculture or forestry; - (B) have earned a doctoral level degree at an institution of higher education (as defined in [section 1001 of title 20](/usc/20/1001.md)); and - (C) meet qualification standards prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management for appointment to a position at level GS–15 of the General Schedule. - (3) **Number—** Not more than 100 individuals may serve as members of the Service at any 1 time. - (4) **Other requirements—** - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#b-4-B) and [subsection (d)(2)](#d-2), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) may appoint and [employ](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10) a member of the Service without regard to— - (i) the provisions of [title 5](/usc/5.md) governing appointments in the competitive service; - (ii) the provisions of subchapter I of [chapter 35](/usc/5/chptIII/sptB/ch35.md) of title 5 relating to retention preference; - (iii) the provisions of [chapter 43](/usc/5/chptIII/sptC/ch43.md) of title 5 relating to performance appraisal and performance actions; - (iv) the provisions of [chapter 51](/usc/7/chch51.md) and subchapter III of [chapter 53](/usc/5/chptIII/sptD/ch53.md) of title 5 relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates; and - (v) the provisions of [chapter 75](/usc/5/chptIII/sptF/ch75.md) of title 5 relating to adverse actions. - (B) **Exception—** A member of the Service appointed and employed by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) under [subparagraph (A)](#b-4-A) shall have the same right of appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board and the same right to file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel as an employee appointed to a position at level GS–15 of the General Schedule. - (c) **Performance appraisal system—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) shall develop a performance appraisal system for members of the Service that is designed to— - (1) provide for the systematic appraisal of the [employment](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10) performance of the members; and - (2) encourage excellence in [employment](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10) performance by the members. - (d) **Compensation—** - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#d-2), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) shall determine the compensation of members of the Service. - (2) **Limitations—** The rate of pay for a member of the Service shall— - (A) not be less than the minimum rate payable for a position at level GS–15 of the General Schedule; and - (B) not be more than the rate payable for a position at level I of the Executive Schedule, unless the rate is approved by the President under [section 5377(d)(2) of title 5](/usc/5/5377.md?p=d-2). - (e) **Retirement contributions—** - (1) **In general—** On the request of a member of the Service who was an employee of an institution of higher education (as defined in [section 1001 of title 20](/usc/20/1001.md)) immediately prior to appointment as a member of the Service and who retains the right to continue to make contributions to the retirement system of the institution, the [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) may contribute an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the basic pay of the member to the retirement system of the institution on behalf of the member. - (2) **Federal retirement system—** - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#e-2-B), a member for whom a contribution is made under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) shall not, as a result of serving as a member of the Service, be covered by, or earn service credit under, chapter 83 or 84 of title 5. - (B) **Annual leave—** Service of a member of the Service described in [subparagraph (A)](#e-2-A) shall be creditable for determining years of service under [section 6303(a) of title 5](/usc/5/6303.md?p=a). - (f) **Involuntary separation—** - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#f-2) and notwithstanding the provisions of [title 5](/usc/5.md) governing appointment in the competitive service, in the case of an individual who is separated from the Service involuntarily and without cause— - (A) the [Secretary](/usc/7/7601.md?p=7) may appoint the individual to a position in the competitive civil service at level GS–15 of the General Schedule; and - (B) the appointment shall be a career appointment. - (2) **Excepted civil service—** In the case of an individual described in [paragraph (1)](#f-1) who immediately prior to appointment as a member of the Service was not a career appointee in the civil service or the Senior Executive Service, the appointment of the individual under [paragraph (1)](#f-1)— - (A) shall be to the excepted civil service; and - (B) may not exceed a period of 2 years. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 105–185, title VI, § 620, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7219, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 449.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text The General Schedule, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(C), (4)(A)(iv), (B), (d)(2)(A), and (f)(1)(A), is set out under section 5332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Level I of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B), is set out in section 5312 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.