Job Summary

This position is located at the Plant Materials Center in Pullman, WA. The incumbent will provide plant science solutions to water quality concerns, control erosion on cropland and critical areas, improve forage production and quality on pasture and rangelands, and improve wildlife habitat. This is accomplished by evaluating promising plant species and vegetative technologies and providing plant related information to NRCS field staff to support conservation planning for their clients.

Major Duties

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 0471:

Degree: Agronomy or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management.

OR

Combination of education and experience: At least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Graduate Education: Agronomy, or one of the related disciplines or fields of science, such as plant physiology, soils, or genetics, where the curriculum or pattern of training placed major emphasis on field crops or agronomy. Graduate study in related fields, such as botany, plant pathology, and biochemistry may also be qualifying, provided it placed a sufficient amount of emphasis on agronomy. Evaluation of Education: Course work in such subjects as botany, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant breeding or genetics, plant ecology, plant pathology, microbiology, agronomy, or those dealing with basic soil-water-plant relationships of an agronomic or ecologic nature may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in the basic plant sciences. Agronomy courses include agronomy, field crops, field crop production or management, soil and crop management, plant breeding and development, weed control, and similar courses, including those in soils, biochemistry, plant physiology, etc., provided they dealt with principles, methods, or procedures that are applied directly in agronomic work and in the solving of agronomic problems. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 0457:

Degree: Soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. The study must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science.

OR

Combination of education and experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science. Evaluation of Education: Education that provided specialized knowledge and skills in soil and water conservation is more valuable than education that imparted broad but general knowledge and skills. Courses in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil genesis, plant physiology, plant science, and field crops are examples of specialized courses that contribute towards meeting the required 12 semester hours as described above. Courses in the physical sciences or engineering such as geology, civil engineering, and hydrology also meet the soils, crops, or plant science course requirements where such courses included a complete introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Evaluation of Experience: Experience that included the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields is appropriate, given the interdisciplinary character of the soil conservation occupation. For example, experience gained in a specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work Specialized Experience for the GS-09: To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-7 level or higher, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is described as: administering and conducting plant material study plans; designing tests and experiments, establishing plots, maintaining and monitoring plantings; coordinating studies and activities to support a plant materials-agronomic plant and vegetative technology testing program; preparing and delivering plant materials training sessions. OR

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or Master's or equivalent graduate degree in soil conservation, agronomy, or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Specialized Experience for the GS-11: To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-9 level or higher, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is described as: coordinating vegetative technology studies and activities involving plant testing, field, greenhouse, and container production, plant evaluations, plant release, field plantings, and vegetative information and tools to be used by field staff and others. Developing study plans, designing tests and experiments, laying out and establishing plots, and collecting and analyzing quantitative data; addressing water quality concerns, erosion issues on cropland and critical areas and improving forage production and quality on pasture and rangelands; and preparing and delivering plant materials training sessions and providing current research based information to field office staff, their clients, and seed and plant growers. OR

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined above. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Professional and Scientific Positions Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Pay Range

$52,905.00 - $83,210.00

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