This Research Economist/Geographer/Biological Scientist GS-12/13/14 supports the Northern Research Station's Forest Inventory and Analysis i-Tree Group, which is responsible for work that includes: Quantifying urban forest ecosystem structure and change; Quantifying urban forest ecosystem services and values; and developing tools to quantify environmental effects of urban forests and improve forest management.
For more info about this position, contact Charles Perry at charles.h.perry@usda.gov.
Summary
This Research Economist/Geographer/Biological Scientist GS-12/13/14 supports the Northern Research Station's Forest Inventory and Analysis i-Tree Group, which is responsible for work that includes: Quantifying urban forest ecosystem structure and change; Quantifying urban forest ecosystem services and values; and developing tools to quantify environmental effects of urban forests and improve forest management.
For more info about this position, contact Charles Perry at charles.h.perry@usda.gov.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
Designs, conducts, presents, and publishes research studies that address pertinent resource issues identified by FIA and i-Tree user’s groups, customers, and clientele
Leads and coordinates team efforts to ensure successful program development, support, and dissemination
Works with teams and other critical stakeholders and clients to ensure successful i-Tree development and support to meet the complex needs of forest managers and stakeholders
Develops new science related to urban forest ecosystem services and develops and maintains the i-Tree software suite that integrates the science within easy-to-use management models
Modifies existing or develops new methods to quantify urban forest structure and ecosystem services and tests the applicability of these new approaches in a range of urban areas
Integrates the estimates of numerous ecosystem services within a modeling system (i-Tree) to help assess interactions among multiple services and forest structure and how changes in forest structure influence multiple forest services and values
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Completion of a three-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored 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.
SEE "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION" SECTION BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below
Basic Requirement for Economist Series 0110. PLEASE REFER TO OPM WEBSITE FOR EXAMPLES OF QUALIFYING AND NON-QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE
Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus
or
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education
Examples of qualifying experience:
individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation
supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems
Basic Requirement for Geography Series 0150
Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields.
or
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Basic Requirement for Biological Sciences Series 0401
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
or
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Specialized experience at this level is defined as:
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: a) the analysis and/or application of forest ecosystem services and values in urban communities, b) improve the accuracy and precision of estimates related to urban forest structure, functions and values across spatial and temporal scales, c) assess urban forest change through time and across space, and d) integrate these findings within an ecosystem services modeling suite and/or urban forest inventory program to understand environmental quality and community livability and inform policy and land management practices.
Forming, leading, and participating in research teams of local or regional importance.
Securing funding for scientific research through a variety of external funding sources
Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
GS-13: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Graduate level education alone is not qualifying at this grade level. To qualify at this grade, you must possess the specialized experience listed below.Specialized experience at this level is defined as:
Conducting a diversity or body of research in the science, monitoring, and reporting of urban forest ecosystems in the US at the local to national scale; or, expanding knowledge and modeling of ecosystem services to aid urban forest management on regional to national scales 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) as it pertains to: a) expanding the analysis and/or application of forest ecosystem services and values in urban communities, b) improving the accuracy and precision of estimates related to urban forest structure, functions and values across spatial and temporal scales, c) assessing urban forest change through time and across space, and/or d) integrating these findings within an established ecosystem services modeling suite and/or inventory program to understand environmental quality and community livability and inform policy and land management practices.
Modifying existing methods to quantify urban forest structure and ecosystem services and testing applicability in a range of urban areas
Developing and disseminating research findings in collaboration with resource managers and planners for presentation at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
GS-14: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13). Graduate level education alone is not qualifying at this grade level. To qualify at this grade, you must possess the specialized experience listed below.Specialized experience at this level is defined as:
Demonstrated originality and creativity in identifying and leading multidisciplinary teams conducting the full cycle of scientific research exploration of the most promising areas in the science, monitoring, and reporting of urban forest ecosystems at national to international scales; or, identifying and leading multidisciplinary teams expanding knowledge and modeling of ecosystem services to aid urban forest management on national to international scales as it pertains to: a) expanding the analysis and/or application of forest ecosystem services and values in urban communities, b) improving the accuracy and precision of estimates related to urban forest structure, functions and values across spatial and temporal scales, c) assessing urban forest change through time and across space, and/or d) integrating these findings within an established ecosystem services modeling suite and/or inventory program to understand environmental quality and community livability and inform policy and land management practices
Developing new methods to quantify urban forest structure and ecosystem services and that are applicable in a range of urban areas and recognized national and/or internationally as defining the state-of-the-art;
Assembling and leading interagency and intergovernmental collaborations of national and/or international importance by formulating research plans and hypotheses and securing significant extramural funding to carry out projects and interpret findings, present results by invitation to international conferences and scientific meetings, publish results in the top tier of peer-reviewed journals; and receiving recognition by scientific and/or management communities as a significant contributor to the field of study
Education
Substitution of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 only: Conferred Ph.D. degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is: advancing the science, monitoring, and reporting of urban forest ecosystems in the US at the local to national scale or expanding the knowledge and modeling of ecosystem services to aid forest management on an international scale, and/or includes coursework in areas such as assessing forest change, economic value of ecosystem services, urban forestry, or human dimensions of urban forest management
Additional information
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.
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.
Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning month/year the work assignment started and ended; hours worked per week; position title, and series/grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This info must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result loss of consideration for the position
Not a remote position
Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more info, refer to OPM's website
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any US citizen may apply
CTAP/RPL/ICTAP: To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed
This position may be eligible to telework up to 4 days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements
The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. More info is available at OPM's Website
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.
A Direct-Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, including any applicable selective placement factor(s), will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the application documents are 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.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official.
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 whether you are considered. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or 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 applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the responsibilities section including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts 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.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.
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 (8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. (MST), 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 returned to Human Resources no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order for it to be entered into the system prior to the closing date.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, in USAJOBS click "Apply" and follow the instructions to attach your resume and required documents, complete the assessment questionnaire, and submit your application.
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
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.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the responsibilities section including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts 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.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.
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 (8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. (MST), 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 returned to Human Resources no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order for it to be entered into the system prior to the closing date.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, in USAJOBS click "Apply" and follow the instructions to attach your resume and required documents, complete the assessment questionnaire, and submit your application.
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
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.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
