Basic Requirement:

Degree: horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops.

OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences.

The 16-semester-hour requirement in horticulture includes course work in basic horticulture and course work related to any of the recognized subject-matter fields of horticulture, i.e., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery work, seed production, or course work in related areas of science, such as micro-biology, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, or genetics that is directly related to horticultural work.

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 atleast 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areasspecified in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

Additional Requirements: 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: Experience defining research problems, designing and executing a research plan in the field, and evaluating plant nutrient and water use; Experience using soil and/or plant science and horticultural techniques such as: soil chemical analysis, plant nutrient analysis,measurements of soil water content, and plant water status; and Experience publishing original soil science, agronomy, or horticulture research in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

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: Experience independently and collaboratively developing and conducting soil science and horticulture research; Experience presenting research results at various venues (i.e. academic/professional lectures, scientific conferences) to a variety of audiences such as peers, stakeholders, leaders in the field; Independently publishing original soil science, agronomy or horticulture research in peer-reviewed journals; and Experience supervising students or technicians to accomplish research.

GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least 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: Primary authorship experience producing soil science or horticulture publications that impact advancements in the field or are viewed as authoritative; Experience independently and collaboratively developing and conducting soil science and horticulture research models of water or nutrient movement in soils and plants, and/or single leaf or whole plant gas exchange; Experience conceiving and formulating soil science and horticulture research advancements used as a reference by other scientists; Experience participating in technical conferences that define the state of the discipline or introduce new areas in the field; and Experience managing a research project, including personnel, equipment, facilities and fiscal resources.

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.

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.