The Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD) of NRCS has been given Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) to fill soil scientist vacancies within the organization. SPSD will announce these at the GS-5/7/9 level. The announcements were released on USAJobs on December 31, 2020 and will be open through July 15, 2021. The direct links to the positions are below, grouped by region of the country.
Soil Scientist, 0470 Job Series, in Fairbanks, AK; Homer, AK; Wasilla, AK: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/588227300
Soil Scientist, 0470 Job Series, in Ogden, UT; Price, UT; Pasco, WA: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/588228000
Soil Scientist, 0470 Job Series, in Atlantic, IA; Waverly, IA; Hays, KS; Salina, KS; Bemidji, MN; Union, MO; Bismarck, ND; Fargo, ND; Lincoln, NE; Stanton, NE; Altus, OK; Woodward, OK; Bryan, TX; Lubbock, TX; Nacogdoches, TX; Robstown, TX: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/588228800
Soil Scientist, 0470 Job Series, in Frederick, MD; Grands Rapids, MI; Hammonton, NJ; Findlay, OH; Marietta, OH; Morgantown, WV: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/588229400
Soil Scientist, 0470 Job Series, in Loxley, AL; Normal, AL; Fort Myers, FL; Richmond Hill, GA; Owensboro, KY; Ruston, LA; Meridian, MS; Greensboro, NC; Raleigh, NC; Laurens, SC; Richmond, VA: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/588229500
What is Direct Hire?
Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is an appointing (hiring) authority that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can give to Federal agencies for filling vacancies when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists.
What is the Purpose of Direct Hire?
Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant without regard to traditional/normal competitive hiring procedures.
Why do we have Direct Hire Authority?
DHA is intended to help organizations hire during times of critical hiring needs (i.e., extraordinary surge requirements), or when there is a severe shortage of candidates (i.e., difficulty finding qualified candidates with the necessary skill sets).
Potential applicants must meet educational requirements for the Soil Scientist job series (0470), but there is no limit on years following graduation (like Pathways Recent Graduates Program). Students pursuing degrees, but expecting to graduate within 180 days of the announcement are also eligible. So students expecting to graduate in May 2021 could be eligible.
Please check out our Virtual Recruitment Toolbox for more information on the Soil Scientist job series and what it is like to work for NRCS SPSD.