USA Staffing

Position Title: Research Social Scientist
Agency: Forest Service
Announcement Number: 23-RES-12042752-DDHP-IC Opens in new window
Open Period: Monday, July 17, 2023 to Monday, July 31, 2023

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

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.

A. Yes

B. No

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.

A. Yes

B. No

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?

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.

A. Juneau, AK

B. Corvallis, OR

C. La Grande, OR

D. Olympia, WA

E. Seattle, WA

F. Wenatchee, WA

2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

3. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?

A. Yes

B. No

Thank you for your interest in this Research Social Scientist GS-0101-12/13 position with the USDA Forest Service. Your responses to the questions below and the information provided in your completed application will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, document your course work and/or degree completed by submitting a copy of all applicable transcripts. To assure qualification, attach both graduate and undergraduate transcripts and attach university course descriptions to clarify content of coursework as necessary.

Basic Requirements for the Social Science (0101) Series

1. From the description below, select the response that best describes how your background meets the basic requirements for a social science position, GS-0101.

A. I have a degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

B. I do not meet the education requirements in 1A above, but I have a combination of education and experience that has provided me with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

C. I do not have a degree or a combination of education and experience as described in 1A and 1B above, but I have four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that I have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

D. I do not meet any of the requirements for the 0101 series as described above.

Minimum Qualification Requirements for GS-12 level

2. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience and/or graduate education requirements for the GS-12 level of this Research Social Scientist GS-0101 position.

A. I have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes ALL of the following: (A) Conducting the full cycle of scientific research in both theoretical and applied social science (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting results, and presenting the findings in the form of scientific manuscripts, reports, demonstrations, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) from one or more of the following areas: (1) forest and rangeland restoration;(2) fire social science; (3) social dimensions of climate change; (4) community resilience; (5) collaboration, partnerships, planning and public engagement; (6) environmental justice and equity; (7) urban natural resources stewardship; (8) tribal management of natural resources; (9) water policy and governance. (B) Applying qualitative or quantitative social science methods in basic or applied research, such as surveys, interviews, ethnographic studies, focus groups, participatory research, secondary data analysis, statistical analysis, geospatial analysis or quantitative modeling; AND (C) Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

B. I do not have the specialized experience as described in A above, but I have a conferred Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree with a dissertation or coursework related to social science, which includes: anthropology, sociology, geography, environmental or community psychology, demography, political science, or public rural studies, community development, natural resource economics, or human dimensions of natural resources.

C. I do not meet or exceed the requirements as described above.

Minimum Qualification Requirements for GS-13 level

3. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this Research Social Scientist GS-0101 position.

A. I have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes ALL of the following: (A) Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) from one or more of the following areas: (1) forest and rangeland restoration; (2) fire social science; (3) social dimensions of climate change; (4) community resilience; (5) collaboration, partnerships, planning and public engagement; (6) environmental justice and equity; (7) urban natural stewardship; (8) tribal management of natural resources; (9) water policy and governance. (B) Forming, leading, and participating in research teams, interdisciplinary teams, and developing new research partnerships of regional and/or national importance; (C) Using qualitative or quantitative social science methods in basic or applied research, such as surveys, interviews, ethnographic studies, focus groups, participatory research, secondary data analysis, statistical analysis, geo-spatial analysis, or quantitative modeling. AND (D) Developing and disseminating research findings in collaboration with research partners, resource managers and stakeholders for presentation at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

B. I do not meet or exceed the requirements as described above.

4. If any of your education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. Contacts for private organizations that specialize in this evaluation is located here: http://www.naces.org/members.htm. A fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

A. I have not completed any education at a foreign institution.

B. I have submitted a foreign credential evaluation as described above for any education needed to qualify for this position which was completed at a foreign institute.

5. If you are using education to qualify for this position you must attach copies of applicable transcripts. If you are using education to meet the individual occupational requirement as described in question one, you must attach applicable transcripts. If you are using education to qualify for the GS-12 level of this position, you must submit a copy applicable transcripts that show the conferral of your degree.

A. I have read the above statement and have attached all pertinent transcripts.

B. I have not attached all of my transcripts, but understand that this may disqualify me for this position.

6. 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.

A. Yes, 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, certifications, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided is subject to investigation. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false, fraudulent or inaccurate 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).

B. No, I do not certify and I understand that by responding "no" to this certification that I will not receive consideration for this position.

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