25% or less - Overnight travel required for field studies and professional meetings.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
The work of this scientist is definitive of wilderness science, resulting in contributions that answer important questions in the field and account for previously unexplained phenomena.
Plans, conducts, and disseminates research to address a wide range of needs for the stewardship of wilderness and similarly protected areas.
Leads basic and applied science teams to discover and synthesize knowledge to address wilderness management problems
Quantifies and characterizes the ecological role of wilderness in the larger landscape or ecological context in consideration of external threats such as climate change and human modified landscapes.
Develops and applies research to investigate wilderness stewardship issues at multiple spatial (landscape, regional, and national) and temporal (annual to multi-decadal) scales.
Aim of research is to anticipate and mitigate impacts to landscapes subjected to multiple stressors such as changing climate, invasive species, insects and diseases, land-use change, and an increasing human footprint.
Evaluates the biological diversity, ecological integrity, and ecological role of the National Wilderness Preservation System (110 million acres).
Evaluates how a changing environment will impact the ability of wilderness managers to protect wilderness characteristics, including the fragmentation and isolation of wilderness as ecological islands.
Uses tools such as statistics, simulation modelling and geospatial analyses in conjunction with field data, remotely sensed data, or other spatial datasets .
Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with professional colleagues and natural resource managers to assure that research studies address the highest management priorities and that findings are available, understood, and applied.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation
A three-year probationary period is required in accordance with the USDA policy. During this time period, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored in order to determine if employee will be retained.
Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.
Selectee is subject to financial disclosure requirements and must submit form OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
Obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business- related travel.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide university course descriptions as necessary.
Basic Requirement: 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 biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. --OR-- Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience or directly related graduate education listed below.
For the GS-12 level: At least one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes all of the following:
--Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: natural resource management; landscape, population, restoration and/or community ecology; conservation biology; climate change biology; wildlife biology; and/or watershed science;
--Conducting complex geospatial analyses using programs such as such as ArcGIS, R, or Python in conjunction with field data, remotely sensed data, or other spatial datasets (e.g. gridded climate or land-use datasets) to characterize and predict current or future natural resource status; and
--Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results as primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals. --OR-- A conferred Ph.D. in one or more research areas directly related to the work of the position as described above which may include fields such as: forest and rangeland ecosystem science, conservation biology, watershed science, landscape ecology, physical geography, biogeography, plant and animal ecology.
For the GS-13 level: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes all of the following:
--Conducting a diversity or body of research as a Principal Investigator or project member on multiple studies that include the full cycle of scientific research (i.e. identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: natural resource management; landscape, population, restoration and/or community ecology; conservation biology; climate change biology; wildlife biology; and/or watershed science;
--Conducting ecological analyses of threats from a changing environment to the biological diversity and ecological integrity of public lands and disseminating results in peer-reviewed journal or other appropriate outlet; and
--Creating products or information with application for the management of protected areas or other public lands.
For the GS-14 level: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes all of the following:
--Leading and conducting a diversity or body of research as a Principal Investigator or team member on multiple research teams including the full cycle of scientific research (i.e. identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: natural resource management; landscape, population, restoration and/or community ecology; conservation biology; climate change biology; wildlife biology; and/or watershed science;
--Leading cooperative research with academic or land management partners related to the status, threats, ecological integrity, or management of protected areas or other public lands; and
--Functioning as a science leader in one or more fields, exemplified by editorship for a scientific journal; service as a chair, co-chair, or vice chair of a scientific society; or convening scientific workshops, organizing symposia, or other appropriate activities.
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.
Education
Graduate level education alone is not qualifying at the GS-13 and GS-14 grade levels of this position. To qualify at these grade levels, you must possess the specialized experience described above.
Additional information
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP), USDA REEMPLOYMENT PRIORITY LIST (RPL), AND INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES who meet the eligibility requirements for priority consideration. The following link provides information for determining if you meet these criteria: Career Transition Guidelines.
Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 15-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email asc_tos@fs.fed.us.
This position is eligible for telework.
Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire.
This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. 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 will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position.
Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement, or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae.
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Referral to the hiring manager will be based on the following:
All applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements will be referred.
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 disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume must include: 1) personal information; 2) education; 3) work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 4) supervisor's phone number, e-mail address for each work period listed, and whether we may contact for reference checks; and 5) other qualifications; and
College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or used as a substitute for specialized experience. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts may be required. Attach all applicable transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient; however, if selected, an official transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference.
If CTAP, ICTAP, or RPL eligible:
Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal AND most recent performance evaluation AND SF-50 documenting separation or the most recent SF-50 if pending separation showing position title, series, grade and duty location; or
Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50; or
Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50; or
Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from the military or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50.
Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.
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.
USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center
DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US
Next steps
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 to check your application status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume must include: 1) personal information; 2) education; 3) work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 4) supervisor's phone number, e-mail address for each work period listed, and whether we may contact for reference checks; and 5) other qualifications; and
College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or used as a substitute for specialized experience. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts may be required. Attach all applicable transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient; however, if selected, an official transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference.
If CTAP, ICTAP, or RPL eligible:
Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal AND most recent performance evaluation AND SF-50 documenting separation or the most recent SF-50 if pending separation showing position title, series, grade and duty location; or
Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50; or
Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50; or
Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from the military or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50.
Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.
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.
USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center
DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US
Next steps
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 to check your application status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
