This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in the Soil, Water & Resources Research Unit at the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment in Ames IA. In this position, you will work with ARS scientists, in partnership with the Midwest Regional and Northern Forest Climate Hubs, to assess agroforestry as a strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Duties

Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate agroforestry as a strategy for both climate change adaptation and mitigation. Selects the appropriate methods and procedures used in collecting and analyzing ecological, micrometeorological, hydrological, and biophysical measurements for advancing projects. Participates in the development of syntheses, tools, and information related to agroforestry issues that meet identified needs of stakeholders. Participates in Hub climate change outreach efforts, for the agricultural and forestry sectors of the Hub region with a special focus on agroforestry production systems. Coordinates efforts to adapt or modify methodologies to address critical gaps in knowledge within agroforestry systems.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: 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 at https://www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements for 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. Basic Requirements for Physical Science Series, 1301: Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-11 Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-9 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience in implementing agroforestry or other integrated, multi-faceted agricultural management practices; and coordinating with a variety of collaborators to provide technical support to agricultural stakeholders. OR Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related. Related degrees may include Ecology, Soil Science, Forestry, Meteorology, or Horticulture. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above. GS-12 Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in or developing research on agroforestry systems or other integrated, multi-faceted agricultural systems; assessing the effects of climate change and weather variability on the agroforestry systems; or conducting systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses. 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Nelly Wilson
• Phone: (703) 259-9360
• Email: [email protected]