Job Summary

This scientist serves Northern Research Station, Ecological/Economic Sustainability of Appalachian Forests. This unit works conducts research needed to perpetuate healthy and resilient forests ecosystems so they can continue to provide a vast array of ecosystem services and products to the Nation's people into the future. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Janice Wiedenbeck at 304-431-2708 or jan.wiedenbeck@usda.gov.

Major Duties

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 university course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement for 1315 Hydrology Series: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Hydrologist. A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in physics. --OR-- B. A combination of education and experience-course work as shown in "A" above (30 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses as specified in "A" above which must include at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in physics), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. GS-11: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9). Specialized experience at this level is defined as: Conducting the full cycle of scientific research with defined objectives, limited in scope to identify research topics, define study objectives, organize and conduct the research, interpret the results, and present the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: forest hydrology, watershed management, biogeochemistry, soil science (including soil chemistry and soil physics), erosion and sedimentation, and forest management. Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and contributing to results published in peer-reviewed journals. Collaborating and building partnerships with researchers and Funding scientific research through external funding sources. --OR-- Conferred Master's Degree directly related to the work of the position. Graduate courses or research must be in forest hydrology, watershed management, biogeochemistry, soil science (must include soil chemistry and soil physics), erosion and sedimentation, forest management, and inorganic chemistry. GS-12: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Specialized experience at this level is defined as: 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) in one or more of the following areas: forest hydrology, watershed management, biogeochemistry, soil science (including soil chemistry and soil physics), erosion and sedimentation, and forest management. Analyzing the impacts of land use on water, sediment and nutrient fluxes using field-based sampling and the development of analytical, conceptual, and physical models. Using advanced analytical tools such as geographic information systems, spatial statistics, and computer models. Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. --OR-- Conferred Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in a research area related to the work of this position. Qualifying graduate education for the GS-11 level of this position includes graduate courses and/or research in forest hydrology, watershed management, biogeochemistry, soil science (must include soil chemistry and soil physics), erosion and sedimentation, forest management, and inorganic chemistry. Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade (salary) if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position. 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 - $76,721.00

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