This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/503482300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Soil Drainage Research Unit (SDRU) in Columbus, Ohio is seeking a permanent, full-time Research Soil Scientist to develop and conduct novel research related to understanding nutrient cycling processes under an array of drainage systems, crop production systems, and conservation practices as affected by soil biology, chemistry, and physical properties. The SDRU is the focal point of ARS’s multi-disciplinary water management research program for the cool, humid region of the U.S. and leads the Eastern Corn Belt node of ARS’s Long Term Agroecosystem Research program. The selected Research Soil Scientist will contribute to the Unit’s hydrological and water quality research related to nutrient transport and cycling in tile drained landscape. The scientist will be a key member of the interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists studying the complex, natural resource interactions of implementing existing and novel production and conservation management practices on the landscape that provide economic benefit as well as environmental and resource sustaining services.
Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply at all grade levels. A peer review will be required for selections made at grades GS-13 and above and the selectee will be required to submit supplemental materials.
Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.
Learn more about this agency07/16/2018 to 07/27/2018
$75,665 - $116,968 per year
GS 12 - 13
1 vacancy in the following location:
Occasional travel - Local, domestic, and international travel may be required to attend training and scientific meetings and conferences.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
15
No
ARS-D18E-0106
503482300
The incumbent’s overall research objective is to understand the complex field scale interactions of weather, soil biology, soil chemistry, soil physics, plants, water, and land use management on nutrient cycling and transport in artificially (tile) drained landscapes.
Specific personal research objectives may include:
• Evaluating and improving scientific understanding of nutrient dynamics in artificially (tile) drained landscapes.
• Improving existing or developing new and innovative management practices that address environmental concerns but are economically viable.
• Mathematically describing and developing relationships for improving natural resource simulation technologies.
Innovative laboratory and field scale methods and procedures will be used to better understand the interactive processes and dynamics related to nutrient cycling in soils. Methodologies may include laboratory, greenhouse, plot, and field scale experiments.
U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.
CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter.
To be considered for a research scientist position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Also, submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level.
Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.
Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
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
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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional Requirements:
GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (i.e. soil science, soil microbiology, soil chemistry, soil fertility) OR 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service conducting soil science research related to nutrient transport and/or cycling and publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to soil science OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.
GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service conducting independent soil science research related to nutrient transport and/or cycling; developing metrics to relate soil physical, chemical, or biological properties to hydrology or water quality; presenting research results to others outside of organization; and publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to soil science.
Applicants must address the specialized experience requirements in their resume (or application documents). Applications that do not reflect the specialized experience requirements will not be deemed qualified.
Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here:
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
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/503482300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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