This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area/ Food Animal Environmental Systems Research Unit in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In this position you will be leading an experiment or research project related to soil and water science; analyzing and interpreting research data or results; and assisting with the evaluation, interpretation, documentation, and publishing of findings.

Duties

Determines the proper experimental approach in setting up research experiments to solve complex agronomical and environmental responses of plants to multiple climatic and soil factors. Maintains, modifies, develops, and adapts as necessary scientific instrumentation and growth systems to measure, control, and conduct experiments at the laboratory’s soil-plant atmosphere research facility. Conducts experiments in which various environmental and soil factors are manipulated and monitored, including greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2, CH4, and N2O concentrations, soil and air temperature, and soil water contents. Conducts measurements of plants and soils and harvest plant biomass and grain yield, performs soil and whole plant gas exchange measurements using unique techniques, modifies methods, and instrumentation to solve problems. Maintains data, performs appropriate calculations and analyses, and evaluates the adequacy of results for meeting objectives. Complies with laboratory practice and experimental protocols to ensure plants are grown, fertilized, watered, inspected regularly for disease and insects, and treated appropriately, adhering to safety and health guidelines. Analyzes results according to established principles and procedures and summarizes experimental outcomes of completed projects in a form suitable as the basis for the first draft of written reports to scientific journals. Programs, operates, and provides routine maintenance of highly specialized complex equipment, including computerized instruments, multi-channel data acquisition devices and custom-developed software programs, analytical devices. Organizes the experimental progress in a form suitable for oral presentations or posters for scientific meetings. Uses computer systems and appropriate software such as word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and the internet for documenting information and presenting data.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov
• Motor Vehicle or Commerical Driver's License Required.
• Pesticide Applicators License Required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Applicants must have one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). Basic Requirements 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. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-11 Specialized Experience: 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-09 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 leading an experiment or research project related to soil and water science; analyzing and interpreting research data or results; and assisting with the evaluation, interpretation, documentation, and publishing of findings. OR Education: Successful completion of three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree, if directly related to the position. Related degrees may include soil science or environmental science. OR A combination of doctorate level education and specialized experience. Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring walking on agricultural fields with uneven surfaces; climbing on ladders or large field equipment; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting, or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data. The incumbent must be able to lift large bags of seed or fertilizer and carry soil samples from the field to a vehicle weighing less than 50 pounds. Occasional travel may be required. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with irritant chemicals, a dusty environment, or working outdoors. Working outside will expose the employee to periods of hot and cold weather and humid, wet, and dry conditions. The incumbent is required to use protective items such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, ear protection, and sunscreen. 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: Kendra Bledsoe
• Phone: 7032599425
• Email: [email protected]