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Research Soil Scientist/Ecologist/Biologist (Research Associate)

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Soil and Water Management Research Unit
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent will be assigned to the USDA-ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit located in St. Paul, MN. The incumbent will conduct research to measure N2O emissions from headwater streams and ditches in agricultural watersheds in the Upper Midwest.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents seeking U.S. Citizenship may apply.

**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR 11/21/2023**

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
11/23/2022 to 08/28/2023
Salary
$71,508 to - $92,955 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Saint Paul, MN
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Periodic local travel will be required for field work. Occasional local, domestic, and international travel may be required to attend training and scientific meetings and conferences.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Not-to-Exceed 2 years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
RA-23MWA-H-11739920-LSR
Control number
690766200

Duties

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  • Develop and refine an approach for deploying a portable infrared N2O gas analyzer from a floating chamber platform for use in small ditches and streams.
  • Work with USDA and University colleagues to investigate factors responsible for influencing N2O emissions from agroecosystems.
  • Support complementary research efforts focused on studying watershed scale influences on water quality.
  • Present results at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Direct Deposit ? 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 at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met.

Qualifications

This position requires a Ph.D. in soil science, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental or agricultural engineering, aquatic biogeochemistry, natural resource science, or a related field. Experience with, or knowledge of, current methods used for quantifying nitrogen biogeochemistry in agricultural landscapes. Additional desired qualifications include familiarity with agricultural management and conservation practices typical of the Upper Midwest United States as well as comfort working in small streams. Ability to conduct data analysis and management within the R Studio environment is also desirable.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. The Qualification Standards for each series can be found in the links below:

Soil Science Series 0470 (opm.gov)
Ecology Series 0408 (opm.gov)
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 (opm.gov)

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.

A Ph.D. is required that was obtained within the last four years.

Additional information

Recruitment Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or 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.

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