This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/509210400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
Salary GS-12: $73,375 (Step 01) to $95,388 (Step 10);
Salary GS-13: $87,252 (Step 01) to $113,428 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
08/29/2018 to 09/19/2018
$73,375 - $113,428 per year
GS 12 - 13
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - 1 to 2 overnights are required for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
15 - The full performance level for a Research position is GS-15; however, promotion eligibility is dependent upon the scientific contributions of the incumbent as evaluated by a peer panel.
No
No
DEN-2018-0333
509210400
As a RESEARCH ECOLOGIST within the UPPER MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CENTER, some of your specific duties will include:
PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Work is performed in an office setting. The work area normally involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training rooms. Occasional field work may occur. Field work is primarily done via a boat.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
For GS-12:
In addition to the basic education requirements, if you are qualifying based on specialized experience, you must have 1-year specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for Research Ecologist, GS-408-12:
Experience in river ecosystem ecology sufficient to conduct research focused on aquatic vegetation and manage aquatic vegetation monitoring; experience in using the theories and concepts of ecosystem ecology to guide and inform the quantitative analysis of multidisciplinary, long-term ecological data sets, and using the results to assess the condition of a large, floodplain river; experience using quantitative methods, modeling, and appropriate computer software to analyze large data sets to investigate relations among ecological variables, management actions, and ecological system drivers in the river ecosystem; experience working with natural resource managers, administrators, and scientists in a team setting to translate research results into practical applications and methods for the study, monitoring, and management of large river ecosystems; experience interpreting and communicating results of analyses to inform management actions; experience communicating results to technical and non-technical audiences; and experience presenting results at regional and national scientific meetings, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. *OR* a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a directly related field of study, *OR* a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the second year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.
For GS-13:
In addition to the basic education requirements, you must have 1-year specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for Research Ecologist, GS-408-13:
Experience in river ecosystem ecology sufficient to conduct research focused on aquatic vegetation and manage aquatic vegetation monitoring; experience in using the theories and concepts of ecosystem ecology to guide and inform the quantitative analysis of multidisciplinary, long-term ecological data sets, and using the results to assess the condition of a large, floodplain river; experience planning, leading, and interpreting results of ecological research projects that use quantitative methods and modeling, to investigate relations among ecological variables, management actions, and ecological system drivers in the river ecosystem; experience developing novel analyses of long-term data and synthetic analyses that incorporate relevant aspects of fisheries, water quality, land use, or hydrology data; experience submitting research proposals for funding; experience working with natural resource managers, administrators, and scientists in a team setting to translate research results into practical applications and methods for the study, monitoring, and management of large river ecosystems; experience interpreting and communicating results of complex analyses to inform management actions; experience communicated results to technical and non-technical audiences; and experience presenting results at regional and national scientific meetings, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Research experience is defined as: Experience which has involved scientific inquiry or investigation and has shown creative and outstanding research that has led or can lead to major advances in a specific area of research. The work must have been creative in the sense that it developed a basic principle, product, concept, method, approach, or technique, or provided a body of basic information that opened the way for a major advance in the discipline or field of science. This work may have been achieved by providing a method of solving problems, opening areas of research or providing the means of exploring the application of science in a major area.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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. If you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given 10 calendar days to submit narrative responses that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of this position. You will be rated and ranked based on the information you provide in your resume as well as the responses you submit to the required KSAs. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied. The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position are as follows:
1. Knowledge of botany and aquatic ecology with an emphasis on aquatic vegetation and large river ecosystems sufficient to conduct research and manage aquatic vegetation monitoring on the Upper Mississippi River System.
2. Knowledge of experimental design and statistics for conducting research using long-term, large-scale, multidisciplinary data sets, especially as related to large rivers.
3. Ability to collaborate with, and provide guidance to, a diverse group of scientists and field staff at UMESC and state-operated field stations in the collection and analysis of long-term aquatic vegetation data.
4. Ability to integrate multiple scientific disciplines (e.g., aquatic botany, ecology, hydrology, fish ecology) and approaches (e.g., long-term data analysis and complementary field studies) to design novel research studies, conduct analyses and execute research projects that address the factors affecting the distribution and abundance of aquatic vegetation and the biological, chemical and physical roles of aquatic vegetation in the UMRS.
5. Ability to use appropriate computer software for the analysis and modelling of long-term, spatially extensive data sets (e.g., SAS, R, ArcGIS, or similar).
6. Ability to communicate scientific information in writing.
7. Ability to interact with partners and collaborators in a team setting to design studies of a large river ecosystem, and to integrate results from analysis of long term data, field studies, and modeling to meet partner information needs for the management and rehabilitation of the Upper Mississippi River System.
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. 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.
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof of eligibility by the closing date of this announcement. For additional information on special appointing authorities, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/non_competitive.html
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 meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given a period of time to submit narrative responses that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of the position. Then, 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 45-60 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/509210400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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