Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
Soil Scientist
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
NRCS-23-11949733-DE-MI-JH Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, May 4, 2023 to Monday, May 22, 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 current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
4. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Please respond to the following questions. Any experience claimed in response to the questions MUST be supported by information in your resume. This information must be SPECIFIC, (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide supporting documentation may result in an ineligible rating. (limit characters)
1. In this part, you will be asked about your education or experience in meeting the basic qualifications or the GS-470 series. Please read all responses prior to making your selection, then select the answer that accurately reflects your qualifications:
(limit characters)
2. In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet specialized experience requirement. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess to meet the GS-7 level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses. (limit characters)
3. In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet specialized experience requirement. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess to meet the GS-9 level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Proficient in identifying soil-landscape relationships to describe the way soils occur in the landscape.
(limit characters)
5. Examines existing soils geospatial information using geospatial technologies to identify areas where soil types and landscapes are not correctly associated.
(limit characters)
6. Assist plant and/or soil scientists in collecting production estimates for crops, trees, and/or grasses.
(limit characters)
7. Works independently to create, organize, promote, suggest, and negotiate all aspects of project development and completion.
(limit characters)
8. Experienced in identifying soil-landscape relationships to generate systemic maps.
(limit characters)
9. Establishes a climate for the organizational unit that emphasized the importance and impact of high-quality and accurate work.
(limit characters)
10. Checks details for accuracy or completeness in situations where the work would be reviewed by others.
(limit characters)
11. Ensure my work products are technically accurate, reliable, and in accordance with established policies, standards, specifications, and/or guidelines
(limit characters)
12. Checks work to ensure it is accurate, thorough, and meets applicable policies, standards/specifications, or other guidelines.
(limit characters)
13. Assist plant and/or soil scientists in collecting production estimates for crops, trees, and/or grasses.
(limit characters)
14. Identifies other factors influencing soil type and occurrence, geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
(limit characters)
15. Describes soil samples while integrating knowledge of geomorphology, and stratigraphy, or pedology.
(limit characters)
16. Coordinates efforts for completing geomorphologic, stratigraphic, and pedologic studies.
(limit characters)
17. Support plant and/or soil scientists in documenting basic soil-plant relationships.
(limit characters)
18. Keeps boats, vibracore machines, XRF, trailers, and all other equipment and supplies in working order or known state of performance.
(limit characters)
19. Retains current on all supply needs for boats; informs supervisor on maintenance issues
(limit characters)
20. Teaches others the proper and safe trailering techniques.
(limit characters)
21. Provides training and basic service, as needed, on boats, XRF, refrigerated trailer, vibracore machines, and all other equipment associated with the job.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
22. 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.
(limit characters)