- Position Title
- Agricultural Engineer/Agronomist/Soil Scientist
- Agency
- Agricultural Research Service
- Announcement Number
- ARS-S24Y-12492786-CGP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024 to Tuesday, August 13, 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 those eligibilities.
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.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
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.
• 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.
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.
• 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.
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?
• 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?
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Select the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series.
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for the Agricultural Engineer/Soil Scientist/Agronomist 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.
Select the answer below that describes your education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for the Agricultural Engineer (0890) position. If you select A or B, please submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.
2.
Select the answer below that describes your education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for the Soil Scientist (0470) position. If you select A or B, please submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.
3.
Select the answer below that describes your education as it relates to the basic qualification requirements for the Agronomist (0471) position. If you select A or B, please submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.
4.
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-09 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select, or you will be rated as not qualified.
5.
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.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
6.
Apply instrumentation and data acquisition systems to obtain information on spatial variability of soil and crop parameters.
7.
Integrate data streams from prototype soil, crop, and machine sensors with data from commercial sensors and other sources.
8.
Develop and implement experimental designs appropriate for research questions to be addressed.
9.
Summarize and compile experimental results of completed projects as a basis for the first draft of written reports.
10.
Collect, manage, and analyze soil, plant, or water research samples.
11.
Keep up to date on new methodologies for data collection and analysis.
12.
Utilize advanced approaches, such as geographic information systems (GIS), to analyze, map, and interpret large and complex datasets that represent the spatial and/or temporal variability of soil, crop, and other parameters.
13.
Assist supervisor in devising experimental protocols to meet program objectives and respond to partner and stakeholder needs.
14.
I have experience working with any of the following equipment: (select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
15.
Develop and apply research solutions for the acquisition and analysis of complex sets of spatiotemporal data.
16.
Handle the installation, calibration, operation, and maintenance of data collection and machine control systems for various agricultural field equipment such as tractors, combines, and planters.
17.
Maintain and operate ground-based and aerial sensor systems to collect within-field data, measuring parameters like soil properties, hydrologic data, and crop growth parameters.
18.
Maintain a database of spatial soil and crop research information, guaranteeing the accessibility and integrity of the data.
19.
Utilize modern computer languages (e.g., R, Matlab, Python) to acquire and analyze data.
20.
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 canceled, 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.