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Biological Scientist/Physical Scientist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This employee serves as the Director of the multi-agency Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute located in Missoula, MT, and is responsible for multi-agency development and implementation of wilderness research and wilderness stewardship tools.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Monica Lear at

monica.lear@usda.gov

, or 970-498-1353.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/06/2020 to 03/16/2020
Salary
$126,810 to - $126,810 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Missoula, MT
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Expect overnight travel 7-8 times per year to visit other Forest Service offices or field locations and attend other 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. Additional relocation benefits are not available.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
20-RES-10739760-DHA-P-APL
Control number
562024800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

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.

Duties

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  • Formulate and develop broad policies, plans, standards, and procedures related to wilderness research and stewardship.
  • Lead a multi-disciplinary science organization of scientists, a cadre of affiliated experts, and a wide range of cooperators.
  • Provide leadership, consultation, staffing, and expertise related to wilderness that is national in scope.
  • Provide intellectual leadership as a technical expert and coordinator with a focus on wilderness science and technology transfer.
  • Provide technical leadership and program advice in the development and implementation of wilderness science program standards and procedures for research and core program of work direction.
  • Collaborate with other agency wilderness leaders to support wilderness strategic plan goals.
  • Negotiate with individuals and groups who have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives about potentially controversial wilderness issues.
  • Negotiate and reach interagency agreements on wilderness programs and applications.
  • Analyze and implement new methods or techniques to deliver wilderness science needed by land management agencies.
  • Justify, negotiate, or settle matters related to methods and techniques of managing wilderness research and wilderness stewardship and its impact on wilderness resources.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Qualifications

This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series/position titles listed below. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, you must submit transcripts that show you meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in this announcement. Attach university course descriptions as necessary. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

Basic Requirement for Biological Science Series (0401):
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 with courses equivalent to a major described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirement for the Physical Science Series (1301):
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: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic education qualifications for at least one of the series above, you must possess the following specialized experience. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements.
Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

For the GS-15 level: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service.
To qualify at this grade level, your experience must include all of the following:

--Leading and delivering a multidisciplinary, multifaceted program of scientific research, tool development, and science delivery that addresses wilderness science and stewardship related information needs of multiple stakeholders across large spatial scales.

--Leading strategic planning and setting research priorities using innovative techniques related to wilderness science.

--Representing a science-based organization on local, regional, and national scales, and partnering with government agencies, universities, and/or trade and conservation groups.

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.

Additional information

Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email asc_tos@fs.fed.us.

Government Housing is not available.

Daycare facilities are not available.


This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10739760

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