- Position Title
- Soil Scientist
- Agency
- Agricultural Research Service
- Announcement Number
- ARS-M24Y-12295421-KB Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, February 1, 2024 to Wednesday, February 7, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
1.
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.
• 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.
2.
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?
• 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?
3.
Are you a current Agricultural Research Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
4.
Are you a Agricultural Research Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position.
1.
This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Please select the description below that best describes your education experience. Your transcript(s) must support the response you selected.
2.
From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
3.
I have collected, prepared, and analyzed the following types of samples: (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Conducts measurements of plants and soils and harvest plant biomass and grain yield, performs soil and whole plant gas exchange measurements using unique techniques, modifies methods, and instrumentation to solve problems.
5.
Participates in an experiment related to agronomical and environmental responses of plants to multiple climatic and soil factors.
6.
Maintains data, perform appropriate calculations and analyses, and evaluate the adequacy of results for meeting objectives.
7.
Conducts experiments in which various environmental and soil factors are manipulated and monitored, including greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2, CH4, and N2O concentrations, soil and air temperature, and soil water contents.
8.
Orders and maintains an inventory of chemicals, prepares nutrient solution and soil media for use in laboratory, greenhouse, or field studies, and safely disposes of chemical and biological waste material.
9.
I have performed the following tasks in support of a research experiment related to soil: (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
10.
Consults with the research leader on developing and designing aspects of the research, including experimental designs, layout, randomization of the treatments, and modification of greenhouse environment and field plot monitoring for soil gas exchange processes.
11.
Complies with laboratory practice and experimental protocols to ensure plants are grown, fertilized, watered, inspected regularly for disease and insects, and treated appropriately, adhering to safety and health guidelines.
12.
Analyzes results according to established principles and procedures and summarizes experimental outcomes of completed projects in a form suitable as the basis for the first draft of written reports to scientific journals.
13.
Searches scientific literature for principles and techniques related to the experiments and, in consultation with the supervisor, develops appropriate methods and procedures to meet the objectives.
14.
Programs, operates, and provides routine maintenance of highly specialized complex equipment, including computerized instruments, multi-channel data acquisition devices and custom-developed software programs, analytical devices.
15.
Coordinates schedules and provides work plans and proper technical advice for summer students and other temporary support staff to optimize the efficient use of all resources.
16.
Organizes the experimental progress in a form suitable for oral presentations or posters for scientific meetings.
17.
I have operated the following equipment in support of a research experiment: (Select all that apply)
18.
I have programed, operated, and provided routine maintenance of highly specialized complex equipment. (Select all that apply)
19.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.