- Position Title
- Soil Scientist
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 19-NCH-SRM-470-57-FS-LD Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, March 6, 2019 to Tuesday, March 19, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
The following section is used to determine your eligibility for appointment in the Federal Government or Status for referral consideration. Please indicate by your responses all categories of eligibilities for which you would like to be considered. You will only be considered under eligibilities that you select. If you are not able to select at least one of the eligibilities below, you are not eligible to be considered for this position.
NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will render you not eligible for consideration.
See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.
NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will render you not eligible for consideration.
See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.
1.
Do you claim Veterans' Preference?
2.
Are you a current federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy
- the vacancy does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you're being separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
3.
Are you a current Forest Service career or career-conditional permanent, competitive service employee who currently holds or previously held a lower grade with no promotion potential as the position being announced?
Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement. Example: If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with no promotion potential and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes".
If you answer "Yes," you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1".
Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement. Example: If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with no promotion potential and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes".
If you answer "Yes," you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1".
4.
Are you a current Forest Service career or career-conditional permanent, competitive service employee who currently holds or previously held a position with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?
Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement. Example: If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes". Example: If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-7, answer "No".
If you answer "Yes", you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1".
Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement. Example: If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes". Example: If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-7, answer "No".
If you answer "Yes", you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1".
5.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy
- the vacancy does not have greater promotion potential than your current or last permanent position; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
6.
Are you a current or former employee of the US Forest Service who:
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
- was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment
- served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years
- most recent period of qualifying service was with the US Forest Service
- performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
- if you are no longer employed by the US Forest Service, have you been separated for no more than two years and did you depart from that position in good standing?
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
7.
Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 12 months; OR,
Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension? Note, you must provide documentation to support your request; OR,
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension? Note, you must provide documentation to support your request; OR,
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
8.
Have you completed a qualifying conservation project(s) with the US Forest Service? If yes, confirm that you meet the following:
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
- you received a Public Land Corps - Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status
- you were between 16 and 30 years old (inclusive) when the certification of eligibility was signed
- you completed a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects that included at least 120 hours on Public Lands Corps projects; AND,
- you are within the two-year eligibility period from the date the certification was signed.
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
9.
Are you a former Resource Assistant with the US Forest Service? If yes, confirm that you meet the following:
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
- you received a Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status Based on Resource Assistants Program
- you successfully completed a minimum of 960 hours of full- or part-time work, not to exceed 3,500 hours over a two-year period
- you earned an undergraduate (associate or bachelor) or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education; AND,
- you are within the two-year eligibility period from the date the certification was signed.
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
10.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge from active duty was under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) OR if you are currently on active duty, can you provide written certification of your expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted?
If yes, confirm you:
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
If yes, confirm you:
- are a preference eligible (this includes those family members entitled to derived preference, i.e., spouse, widow, widower, parent); OR,
- served 3 or more years of continuous active duty service in the armed forces. (NOTE: If you were released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility.)
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.
Preferences
1.
Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Recruitment Source
1.
How did you hear about this job opportunity? Please select one and specify if required:
2.
Please specify the source you used to find this recruitment action (i.e., Google, San Antonio Express News, Forest Service homepage, etc.).
Assessment 1
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and/or experience needed to qualify for this position.
For each of the following questions, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application, as well as information provided by your references. Failure to respond to these questions will result in an ineligible rating.
1.
Select the statement best that reflects your education and/or experience. To be minimally qualified for this position you must possess the required degree/coursework, combination of education in a related discipline, or a combination of education and experience. For a detailed explanation of qualifying education and experience, review the information in the vacancy announcement or visit: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/gs0400/0470.htm. You will be required to provide transcripts with your application to validate that you meet degree/coursework requirements.
2.
Select the statement that best reflects your education or experience. Experience claimed must be reflected in your resume. Transcripts must be provided with your application if qualifying based on education.
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Conduct land management inventories of soil resources and watershed restoration needs.
4.
Collect soil samples for laboratory analysis to determine physical, chemical, and/or morphological characteristics.
5.
Provide soil management services to maintain and improve soil productivity of renewable resources.
6.
Follow principles, concepts, and/or methodology of soil science sufficient to classify soils according to technical standards.
7.
Analyze soil properties according to the soil standards.
8.
Assist in developing land management plans and soil evaluation techniques.
9.
Prepare management prescriptions to protect and/or enhance the soil resources.
10.
Analyze soils samples to prepare interpretative material which characterizes watershed conditions as they relate to management opportunities.
11.
Assist in writing watershed restoration plans, erosion control plans, soil resources improvement plans, soil management reports, soil survey reports, and/or special project reports for various natural resource needs.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your supporting documentation, are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Please take an opportunity to review your responses for their accuracy.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
12.
I certify I have read the announcement and have attached all supporting documents as required.
13.
Have you read the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement and understand that failure to submit all required, legible documents prior to the closing date of the announcement may result in loss of consideration?
14.
I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided may be investigated. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).