Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
Soil Scientist (Recent Graduate)
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
NRCS-23-11934677-RG-CA-SC Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, April 21, 2023 to Friday, May 5, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a recent graduate who has, within the previous two years, completed a qualifying Associate's, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, professional, vocational or technical degree or certificate program? OR,

Are you a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your qualifying degree or certificate (associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or vocational/technical degree or certificate) due to military service obligation AND are you within six years from the date the degree or certificate was completed?

For more information, review USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate resources.

 
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Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the following questions. Mark only one response for each question. Any experience claimed in response to the following questions MUST be supported by information in your application (resume or any other written format). This information must be SPECIFIC (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide this supporting documentation may result in receipt of a lower or ineligible rating. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour workweek. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience.) (limit characters)
1. To be considered eligible or qualified for an appointment as a Recent Graduate you must provide transcripts which show the degree awarded and conferred date (within the last 2 years). Recent Graduates can qualify with a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field. Do you understand the requirements, and will you provide appropriate documentation to verify eligibility and qualifications?
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2. Are you a recent graduate that has completed (or will complete within 120 days from the closing date this announcement) all the requirements for an academic course of study leading to a qualifying degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx); OR a veteran that completed all the requirements for an academic course of study leading to a qualifying degree from an accredited educational institution, but due to a military service obligation, were unable to apply within the two-year timeframe (and it has not been more than six years since the qualifying degree was completed). For more information, review USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/)
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3. From the descriptions below, please select the option that BEST describes how you meet the basic education or experience to qualify for the Soil Scientist position. You will be required to provide transcripts with your application to validate that you meet degree/coursework requirements.
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4. Please select one response that best describes the highest level of experience and/or education you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Soil Scientist at the GS-7 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. SELECT ONLY ONE LETTER. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour work week. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience.)
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5. Please select one response that best describes the highest level of experience and/or education you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Soil Scientist at the GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. SELECT ONLY ONE LETTER. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour work week. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience.)
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From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience for each assessment question listed below: (limit characters)
6. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience describing and sampling soils in accordance with established scientific procedures. (limit characters)
7. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience in evaluating existing soil survey data to improve the accuracy of the data. (limit characters)
8. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience evaluating and interpreting information related to geomorphology, geology, hydrology, stratigraphy, pedology, and soil-landscape relationships. (limit characters)
9. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience checking work to ensure it is accurate, thorough, and meets applicable policies, standards/specifications, or other guidelines: (limit characters)
10. From the descriptions below, choose the response that describes your experience solving problems.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
11. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience gathering, analyzing, and interpreting natural resources data information using remote sensing equipment and photo-interpretation techniques. (limit characters)
12. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience using high resolution photography, scanned imagery, and satellite imagery to identify remote natural resources.
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13. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience using remote sensing and geospatial information system applications to identify, classify, and record data elements.
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14. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience identifying patterns and trends to recognize data quality problems. (limit characters)
15. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience interacting with others in the workplace.
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16. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience working as a member of a team to achieve an important goal.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
17. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience collaborating and communicating with internal and external natural resource survey experts to integrate natural resource management approaches, tools, processes, and techniques into agency activities.
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18. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience evaluating information. (limit characters)
19. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience evaluating and interpreting information related to soil wetness. (limit characters)
20. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience using soil forming factors to predict soil properties. (limit characters)
21. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience identifying soil-vegetation relationships. (limit characters)
22. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience identifying plants based on the landscape properties.
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23. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience with gathering information. (limit characters)
24. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.
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