PDF versionJob Summary
This position is located at the Rocky Mountain Research Station located in Missoula, MT. The employee plans and conducts a variety of recurring and complex experiments in an air chemistry laboratory in support of research studies. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Shawn Urbanski, 406-329-4829, shawn.p.urbanski@usda.gov.
Major Duties
- Independently operates, maintains, and troubleshoots specialized, complex equipment, including atomic absorption spectrophotometers, ion chromatographs, automatic titrators, ammonia analyzers, carbon analyzers, and nitrogen analyzers.
- Maintains the laboratory in a condition that minimizes the potential for sample contamination and is suitable for operation of all instruments and associated equipment.
- Ensures uncluttered and safe conditions in the laboratory.
- Manages chemical supplies and chemical procurement for the air chemistry laboratory.
- Adheres to the laboratory?s quality control program during sample preparation and analyses, and revises quality control procedures when needed.
- Prepares and analyzes solid material samples (primarily soils and vegetation) using electronic equipment and manual sample processing techniques.
- Provides written descriptions of analytical approaches and quality control procedures used in chemical analyses for use in support of scientific reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Maintains detailed records of laboratory procedures, equipment or analytical changes, routine maintenance activities, and other similar, pertinent laboratory information.
- Ensures that laboratory chemicals and gases are labeled following Globally Harmonized System (GHS) requirements, and are stored properly.
- Reviews techniques associated with field sample collection to identify potential problems. Documents and orally communicates specific improvements to address those problems and improve data quality.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement for the Physical Science Series (1301): Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For the GS-11: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as 52 weeks of 3 out of 4 of the following: Using and maintaining specialized equipment for chemical analysis of gases and aerosols associated with wildland fire; Conducting statistical analysis in relation to wildland fire smoke research studies; Performing science delivery including development of written technical reports and reports and oral presentations to diverse audiences; Providing written descriptions of analytical approaches of chemical analyses for use in scientific reports and peer review manuscripts. OR I have a Ph.D or equivalent graduate degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled), if related. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work in fields such as Physics, Hydrology, Chemistry, Forest Products Technology, or other directly related fields. OR I have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). 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, knowledge, and skills 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
$64,009.00 - $64,009.00