For full job posting and application link, please see the following: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/546474200?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Open & closing dates

 09/23/2019 to 10/14/2019

Salary

$74,596 to $115,313 per year

Summary

This position is located with the Range and Meadow Forage Management Research Unit in Burns, Oregon.

Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual’s demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.

Responsibilities

  • The mission of the Range and Meadow Forage Management Research Unit in Burns, Oregon is to provide the scientific basis for sound land and livestock management.
  • Incumbent’s research program may include developing practices and strategies for restoring sagebrush plant communities and perennial livestock forage systems.
  • Incumbent’s research program may include developing effective rangeland restoration technologies.
  • Incumbent’s research program may include developing decision-support tools to enhance restoration of rangeland livestock production systems and other ecosystem services.
  • Conduct measurements of soil and vegetation characteristics across a gradient of scales.
  • Develop collaborations and communicate technical information pertaining to rangeland restoration and productivity with a variety of scientific and customer groups.
  • Work individually and as a team member to develop decision support tools to enhance restoration of rangeland and rangeland livestock forage systems and other associated values and services.

Qualifications

This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series/position titles listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must submit proof that they meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements.Basic Requirements

Ecology Series, 0408:
Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

Rangeland Management Series, 0454:
Degree: range management; or a related discipline that included at least 42 semester hours in a combination of the plant, animal, and soil sciences, and natural resources management, as follows:

  • Range Management — At least 18 semester hours of course work in range management, including courses in such areas as basic principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, range inventories and studies, range improvements, and ranch or rangeland planning.
  • Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences — At least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal, and soil sciences, including at least one course in each of these three scientific areas, i.e., plant, animal, and soil sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, animal nutrition, livestock production, and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable.
  • Related Resource Management Studies — At least 9 semester hours of course work in related resource management subjects, including courses in such areas as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages, and outdoor recreation management.

OR

Combination of education and experience: at least 42 semester hours of course work in the combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences and natural resources management shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below.

GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are:

  • Conducting research on the ecology of rangeland (a.k.a., dryland, arid land, desert, grassland, shrub land, woody plant, prairie, sagebrush steppe, juniper) plant species or plant communities;
  • Leading a research project, to include PhD dissertation research or postdoc research, on the ecology of rangeland (a.k.a., dryland, arid land, desert, grassland, shrub land, woody plant, prairie, sagebrush steppe, juniper) plant species or plant communities;
  • Experience producing publications pertaining to the ecology of rangeland (a.k.a., dryland, arid land, desert, grassland, shrub land, woody plant, prairie, sagebrush steppe, juniper) plant species or plant communities; and
  • Presenting research information to peers at professional conferences.

GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 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-13 level of this position are:

  • Coordinating and managing a collaborative research project on the ecology of rangeland (a.k.a., dryland, arid land, desert, grassland, shrub land, woody plant, prairie, sagebrush steppe, juniper) plant species or plant communities;
  • Experience producing publications as the primary author pertaining to the ecology of rangeland (a.k.a., dryland, arid land, desert, grassland, shrub land, woody plant, prairie, sagebrush steppe, juniper) plant species or plant communities; and
  • Being invited or presenting research information to peers at national or international professional conferences.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

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.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Also, submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications.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.