Research Soil Scientist

Responsibilities

• Reduce plant invasion (e.g., cheatgrass into native rangeland plant communities).
• Perform land and vegetation restoration techniques.
• Conduct research to ascertain influences of weather and climate variability and topo edaphic variation.
• Determine the impacts of controlled fires and wildfires, and land and grazing animal management strategies.
• Improve understanding and knowledge of plant invasion, restoration techniques, wildfires, and land management strategies affecting soil dynamics, health, and erosion.

Degree: soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.

OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in soil science or a related discipline that included at least 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areas specified above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are:

• Conducting research related to soil dynamics, health, and erosion related to plant invasion, restoration techniques, wildfires, and land management strategies to improve production of forage for domestic grazing animals and wildlife;
• Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings.

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are:

• Conceiving, planning, and conducting research related to improving rangeland health through understanding the ecosystem services to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, improve restoration, reduce invasive species, and reduce wildfire threats;
• Operating and maintaining analytical soil chemistry instruments;
• Processing macro and micro-nutrient data such as available soil carbon and nitrogen;
• Conducting statistical analysis using precision agriculture technologies;
• Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in…