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What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
Salary: $66,250 (Step 01) to $86,131 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled as either an Ecologist, Soil Scientist or Chemist.
There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
Learn more about this agency10/17/2019 to 11/07/2019
$66,250 - $86,131 per year
GS 11
No
Occasional travel - Overnight travel of 1 night per month may be required.
No
Term - This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.
Full-Time
Competitive
11
No
No
SAC-2020-0021
548880800
As an Ecologist, Soil Scientist, or Chemist within the Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
-Management of ecosystem biogeochemistry analytical laboratory.
-Designs and carries out ecosystem biogeochemical studies.
-Participates in preparation, completion and dissemination of research results.
-Operates a motor vehicle as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Physical activity may involve lifting or moving moderately heavy items such as sample or file boxes. Field work may require moderate physical ability and average agility and dexterity and may involve physical exertion. Field work may include walking over wet, sandy, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; lifting moderately heavy objects and bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
For information on basic qualifications, which includes information on whether you may substitute education for specialized experience, please click on the following link:
For Soil Scientist:
Basic Requirements
Degree: soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.
Or a combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in soil science or a related discipline that included at least 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areas specified in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must also meet one of the following to qualify at the GS-11 level:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR
One year of appropriate professional experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Examples of GS-9 level work may include: independent responsibility for performing established, standardized biogeochemical tests and analyses on a broad range of samples in a laboratory setting. Implements new testing and analytical methods. Develops and suggests minor adaptations & fills in the gaps found in newly developed guidelines that govern the new testing methods
For Ecologist:
https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/ecologist-gs-0408.
For Chemist:
https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/chemist-gs-1320.
In addition to the basic education requirements, if you are qualifying on specialized experience you must have one year of appropriate professional experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Examples of GS-9 level work may include: independent responsibility for performing established, standardized biogeochemical tests and analyses on a broad range of samples in a laboratory setting. Implements new testing and analytical methods. Develops and suggests minor adaptations & fills in the gaps found in newly developed guidelines that govern the new testing methods.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies: Leadership & Supervision, Laboratory Techniques, Scientific Instrumentation, Scientific Knowledge, Written Communication, and Interpersonal Communication.
--Basis of rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.
--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
--This position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. This proof may be faxed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Required Documents" and/or "Contact Information"). Please ensure that all documentation is legible.
--If you are claiming veterans' preference you must provide a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., Honorable or General Discharge). Note: If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service.
--If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans’ preference and that your character of military service is honorable.
--If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the Purple Heart, etc. The overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation orders.
--Documentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcement. If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans’ preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.
--If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Required documents may be faxed, uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Contact Information"). If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.
--Required documents may be: 1)faxed to the Agency Contact (see "Contact Information") 2)uploaded directly from your desktop 3)uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments 4)hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see 'Contact Information').
--Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
--Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
--Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1)Click the blue "Apply Online" button. 2)If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. 3)As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4)Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen. 5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6)Submit required documents using one of the available methods listed below. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.
--If you are rated as one of the most highly qualified candidates, you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/548880800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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