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Supervisory Biological Scientist/General Engineer/Physical Scientist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position supports Rocky Mountain Research Station as the Program Manager for the Water and Watersheds Science Program and has overall management responsibility for the financial management, program planning, budget activities, and business execution for the assigned science program.

This position will be located in Fort Collins, CO or Boise, ID. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION.

For additional info about the duties of this position, please contact at Cindy Gordon at cindy.d.gordon@usda.gov.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/06/2023 to 10/31/2023
Salary
$136,908 to - $136,908 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Fort Collins, CO
Boise, ID
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Occasional travel 3-6 times per year to other Forest Service offices and attend other professional meetings.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
24-RES-12143088-DHP-LMS
Control number
753184700

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.

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Duties

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  • Analyze workload, objectives, and requirements of assigned program to establish efficient management practices, determine personnel and administrative fund requirements
  • Utilize sound technical judgment in assuring the development or revision of planning and execution in light of objectives and requirements
  • Identify and recommend corrective action in deficient performance areas
  • Make specific assignments to assigned personnel and internal adjustments to accommodate fluctuations in workload resulting from initiation or phase-out of programs, priority changes, etc
  • Select and promulgate research priorities based upon program guidelines
  • Evaluate past research accomplishments and institute changes as necessary
  • Supervise research scientists (some as team leaders), administrative support for the Program, and professional and technical support personnel

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

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Basic Requirement: For the 0401 Series:

  • 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.
For the 0801 Series: See OPM's full explanation of requirements for the 0801 series here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

For the 1301 Series:
  • Degree: 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 in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-15
: at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. To qualify at this grade level, this specialized experience must be clearly documented in your resume and must include ALL the following:
  • Directing, coordinating, and evaluating a multifaceted science program's content, program planning, program execution, program evaluation, and financial management functions;
  • Serving as a consultant and advisor to policy and decision makers as a recognized authority in biological sciences, engineering, or physical sciences;
  • Performing supervisory duties, including giving advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters
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

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.

Additional information

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page.

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.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four 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. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

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, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, 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/12143088

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