Soil Scientist

This position has an individual occupational requirement. In addition to meeting the IOR in order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

FOR GS-7: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-011 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples:

• This position requires knowledge and technical skills in research, interpretation, and advising on ecosystem restoration. Assists, coordinates, or conducts investigations of direct effects of restoration activities, to be used when developing restoration plans and/or standards.
• This includes identification, interpretation, and description of impacts, as a result of surface disturbing operations

-OR- Education: 1 year of graduate-level education

- OR-Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position

FOR GS-9: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-011 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples:

• The position requires understanding and technical skill in research, interpretation, and making recommendations on ecosystem restoration.
• Assists and coordinates with higher graded specialists on conducting investigations of direct effects of restoration activities, to be used when developing restoration plans and/or standards.

-OR- Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

FOR GS-11: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-011 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples:

• This position researches, interprets, and advises on ecosystem restoration.
• Directs, coordinates or conducts investigations of direct effects of restoration activities, to be used when developing restoration plans and/or standards.

-OR- 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: This position involves both office and field work. Office work (performed roughly 60% of the time) is primarily sedentary in nature. Field work (performed roughly 40% of the time) involves gathering samples and other data, monitoring and inventory activities, and participation in project work. This work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of walking, standing, bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, lifting, or riding in or driving vehicles over rough, uneven, or rocky terrain. The incumbent must travel into remote locations on foot or by vehicles (two and four-wheel drive trucks or UTV's) under a wide variety of climatic conditions and elevations to carry out some assignments. The work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples. Field work may also involve working in areas characterized by burning vegetation, snags, and other dangers inherent to wildfire

Work Environment: This position involves both office and field work. Office work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually does not require any special safety equipment or considerations. Field work exposes the incumbent to a variety of terrains, climates, and temperature extremes, and requires physical exertion by the incumbent to examine subsurface soil characteristics. Field work involves use of motorized and non-motorized equipment that may constitute safety hazards in order to collect soil samples. The incumbent may be exposed to hostile wildlife or livestock; poisonous insects, plants, and reptiles; and/or other chemical and physical hazards while carrying out field work. These situations require the incumbent to exercise prudent judgment and observe and implement all appropriate safety precautions.