The incumbent serves as a Research Soil Scientist/Hydrologist in the Agroecosystems Management Research Unit at the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment in Ames, Iowa. The mission of the unit is to quantify the complex interactions between soils, crops, and animals to develop solutions that increase the efficiency and resiliency of and decrease the detrimental environmental impacts of production systems at the field, farm, and watershed scale.

Duties

Develops dynamic Pedotransfer functions to reflect the impact of alternative practices including intercropping on water infiltration and nutrient storage. Elucidates complex processes associated with redistribution of soil, water, and nutrients across landscapes. Applies advanced analytical and process-oriented numerical approaches for analyzing, interpreting, and communicating research data including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), remote sensing, UAV, and numerical modeling. Collaborates within the Unit and with other ARS units, universities, public agencies, producers, and industry scientists to achieve objectives. Analyzes, interprets, and disseminates findings in scientific peer-reviewed journal articles, presentations, and reports.

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.
• 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/.
• Successful completion of a three year probationary period.

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: Soil Science Series, 0470 Individual Occupational 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. Hydrology Series, 1315 Individual Occupational Requirements Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels. or Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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 directly related to the duties of the position (i.e., soil science, hydrology) 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 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 conducting research on data analysis techniques related to redistribution of soil, water, and nutrients across landscapes, and application of analytical and process-oriented numerical approaches; AND Experience publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings. 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 planning and conducting independent or collaborative research on data analysis techniques related to redistribution of soil, water, and nutrients across landscapes, and application of advanced analytical and process-oriented numerical approaches; AND Experience publishing research findings in scientific peer-reviewed journals as primary author; AND Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please 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.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Elsa Ayala
• Phone: 202-819-4681
• Email: [email protected]