This Research Ecologist supports the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station and is located in Houghton, MI. This scientist will lead multi-scale ecosystem modeling research, work with program scientists to facilitate the integration of empirical and modeling research results into products that inform ecosystem management for adaptation to mitigation of changing climate. For more information about this position, contact Dr. Erik A. Lilleskov at [email protected].

Duties

The Unit’s mission is to develop and provide the basic science, quantitative methods, and technology needed to make decisions about forest ecosystems and the atmosphere related to climate change, fire, and carbon. Responsible for leading multi-scale ecosystem modeling research, working with program scientists to facilitate the integration of empirical and modeling research results into products, and mitigation of changing climate. This scientist's specific research objectives include seeking to improve model simulation and prediction of sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and diverse biophysical processes in forest ecosystems at large spatial scales. Leads development of process-based ecosystem models that evaluate climate forcing. Provides leadership on linking empirical measurements, remote sensing products, and state of the art process-level and earth system models of biogeochemical and biophysical feedbacks between natural terrestrial ecosystems and the climate.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Completion of a three-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if employee will be retained.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.

Qualifications

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. This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. 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 will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position. Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae. Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade 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. To ensure consideration for this position, attach both graduate and undergraduate transcripts. Provide course descriptions to clarify content of coursework as necessary. Required Education (Professional/Scientific) (HR/SME): Ecology Series 0408 (opm.gov) 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. 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: support of basic and applied forest and ecosystem/earth systems modeling research; multi-scale ecosystem modeling research, integrating empirical and modeling research results into products that inform ecosystem management for adaptation to, and mitigation of, of changing climate; developing process-based ecosystem models that evaluate climate forcing . Securing funding for scientific research through a variety of external funding sources Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. Substitution of Education for Experience--Qualifying graduate education: For the GS-12 grade level: Conferred Ph.D. degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is leading multi-scale ecosystem modeling research, working with program scientists to facilitate the integration of empirical and modeling research results into products that inform ecosystem management for adaptation to, and mitigation of, of changing climate and/or includes coursework in areas such as ecosystem and climate change modeling; machine learning; spatial statistics. Your transcripts must show conferral of your Ph.D. to qualify for this grade based on graduate education.

Education

See above for required education and/or graduate level education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]