Soil Scientist, USDA Forest Service
Tucson, AZ
Due 3/19
Salary: $33,394-$53,773 per year
Responsibilities:
- - Conducts standard forest and rangeland soil resource inventories and watershed restoration needs inventories of assigned areas.
- - Collects soil samples for library analysis. Selects describes and classifies soil properties according to the National Cooperative Soil Survey Standards. Analyzes soils and related information and assists with completing reports.
- - Follows established Forest Service procedures to assist with evaluating, assessing and adjusting project or program plans to implement provisions of federal environmental standards.
- - Uses soil analysis and related information to prepare interpretive material which characterizes watershed conditions as they relate to management opportunities.
- - Assists in writing documentation, such as soil survey and/or inventory studies, watershed restoration plans, erosion control plans, etc.
- - Assists senior employees with providing information pertaining to soil science for land and resource management.
Requirements:
Basic Qualification Requirements for the GS-05 and GS-07:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in 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.
In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional education and/or experience are required for the grade(s) specified.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
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.
For the GS-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level; OR one full year of graduate level education; OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience; OR Superior Academic Achievement (to determine if you are eligible, go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Examples of specialized experience are: Worked under the guidance of higher level specialists, collected soil samples for analysis, assisted with soil inventories and surveys, and/or assisted in preparing interpretive material.
Please note that Superior Academic Achievement cannot be applied unless you have graduated and have been awarded the degree (the final GPA is required). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT GS-07 ONLY: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information on the job can be found at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/526386900
*To apply, click on the blue "Apply" button after clicking on the link above
