About the Position: Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Environmental Laboratory (EL) in Vicksburg, MS The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world. Website: http://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/ Visit Vicksburg and discover one of the best kept secrets in the South where the community is committed to excellence. Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce website: http://www.vicksburgchamber.org

Duties

Organize and complete ecological, biological or forestry studies in coastal ecosystems, wetland ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems and in the laboratory. Research projects may include studies detailing the benefits of ecosystem restoration, assessments of ecosystem functions and impacts of invasive species on ecosystems. Perform ecological site assessments including inventories of flora or fauna, and assessments of wetland vegetation, hydrology, and soils. Laboratory activities utilizing mesocosms and analytical equipment to investigate ecosystem processes in a controlled setting, and sample processing and analysis will be accomplished using standard analytical techniques. Manage field and laboratory data using spreadsheets or databases, assist with planning studies and conducting basic analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and maintain equipment used to conduct wetlands research. Assist with the preparation of technical reports and peer reviewed journal articles, based on the results of the ecological studies and will have opportunities to report study results at scientific conferences, workshops and other venues. Responsible for preparing documents either as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or Government Purchase Card (GPC) or to assist with the preparation of acquisition documents.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires pre-employment financial disclosure and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R at the full performance level.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a two- year probationary period.
• Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts such as: outdoor conditions involving moderate exposure to rain, cold/hot weather, etc. May work on various platforms including piers, towers and boats.
• A valid US Driver's License is required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Department of Army Civilian EmployeesCurrent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel WorkforceInteragency Career Transition Assistance PlanLand Management Workforce Flexibility ActMilitary Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)Non-Department of Defense (DoD) TransferOffice of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement EligiblePeople with Disabilities, Schedule APostal Service/Peace Corps and Other Unique AuthoritiesReinstatementVeterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Education Requirements For 401 Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/ For 408 Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/ecology-series-0408/ For 460 Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/forestry-series-0460/ For 470 Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/soil-science-series-0470/ For the DB-2 Level: You must meet the Basic Education Requirement above For the DB-4 Level: Specialized experience: One year of specialized experience which includes experience organizing, executing, and conducting field and laboratory studies focused on various ecosystems and the biological communities within them and experience collecting data, analyzing data, and writing technical reports and journal articles for studies focused on biology, wetland ecology, forest ecology, and/or soil science. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Biology, Ecology, Forestry OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and EquipmentCommunicationsComputer SkillsEcology Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent DB-2 (GS-4) and DB-4 (GS-11). This announcement MAY be used to fill like vacancies six months from the closing date. All qualification requirements, including time after competitive appointment, must be met by the closing date of this announcement. This position is covered by the Science and Technology Laboratory Personnel Management Demonstration Project at the DB-2 (equivalent to GS-05 to GS-11) target to the DB-04 (equivalent to GS-12 to GS-14) level. If selected at the DB-02 level, you have the potential to be non-competitively promoted to the DB-04 level based on successful performance in the position. In accordance with the Federal Register Vol.63, No. 57, dated March 25, 1998, and employee of the Laboratory Demonstration project must have a current average performance score of 2.5 or above in order to be selected for promotion. All applicants currently employed under a Laboratory Demonstration Project must include their most recent performance appraisal score as part of their electronic resume. If you are a Lab demo employee submitting your resume for the first time, or if you have previously submitted your resume without your most recent score, you must submit your resume now with the following statement to be included in the section on your training: Current Performance Rating is 2.5.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address RG-W03GAA US ARMY ENGR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMT CTR DO NOT MAIL Vicksburg, MS 39183 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk