Job Summary

AS the Research Leader for the Water Resources Management Unit in Stoneville, MS, the incumbent will direct and conduct research in the development of novel water management technologies and irrigation scheduling techniques for improving water-use efficiency and water resources sustainability in humid regions.

Major Duties

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience as defined below. Basic Requirements Soil Science Series (0470):

Degree: soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.

OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in soil science or a related discipline that included at least 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areas specified in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Plant Physiology Series (0435): Degree: botany or plant physiology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 10 semester hours in plant physiology.

Evaluation of Education: The 10-semester-hour requirement in plant physiology is specific. Course work is qualifying if it dealt with plant physiology, some phase of plant physiology, or methods and techniques applied in plant physiology work. Other course work in borderline areas should be evaluated on the basis of content. Agricultural Engineer (0890)

Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics

OR

Combination of education and experience: college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure

2. Written Test

3. Specified academic courses

4. Related curriculum

(See education section for details) Additional Requirements:

In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are: Experience planning and conducting research and producing peer reviewed publications on ONE of following: Agricultural Engineer: integrated water balance modeling, including irrigation, rainfall, and runoff, for evaluation of agricultural management systems; or development of decision support systems that enhance sustainable agricultural production systems; OR Plant Physiologist: crop-soil water relations and sensing of water and other physiological stresses related to moisture at agricultural field and management zone scales utilizing moisture at agricultural field and management zone scales utilizing moisture sensing technology; OR Soil Scientist: soil physical and chemical processes related to soil moisture levels optimized for crop growth and the transport and/or retention of water, gases, nutrients and contaminants in agricultural soils; Managing research budgets including grants and other soft funds as well as appropriated funds; AND Managing human, physical and fiscal resources to achieve the research mission, as well as managing individual and team research projects to address research goals and priorities; AND Effectively communicating with government officials, internal and external scientific colleagues, scientific organizations and industry stakeholders. GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position are: Experience leading and conducting research and producing peer reviewed publications on ONE of following: Agricultural Engineer: integrated water balance modeling, including irrigation, rainfall, and runoff, for evaluation of agricultural management systems; or development of decision support systems that enhance sustainable agricultural production systems; OR Plant Physiologist: crop-soil water relations and sensing of water and other physiological stresses related to moisture at agricultural field and management zone scales utilizing moisture at agricultural field and management zone scales utilizing moisture sensing technology; OR Soil Scientist: soil physical and chemical processes related to soil moisture levels optimized for crop growth and the transport and/or retention of water, gases, nutrients and contaminants in agricultural soils; Developing and managing research budgets including grants and other soft funds as well as appropriated funds; AND Managing human, physical and fiscal resources to achieve the research mission, as well as managing individual, unit, and components of national scale research projects to address research goals and priorities; AND Establishing cooperation and effective communication with government officials, internal and external scientific colleagues, scientific organizations and industry stakeholders. 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. Supervisory/Managerial Competencies - the following KSAs will also be used to evaluate candidates in the interview and selection process:

1. Ability to lead and accomplish work through others (i.e. team building, conflict management, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, technology management, and political savvy.)

2. Ability to communicate with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Pay Range

$107,807.00 - $164,858.00

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