This position is located in the Soil Research Branch Laboratory, National Soil Survey Center (NSSC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in Lincoln, Nebraska. The primary purpose of the position and major duties performed are to facilitate laboratory analysis of soil samples and the collection, storage and use of analytical data through the operation of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and laboratory databases.

Duties

Maintain the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) by applying software updates, incorporating new instruments, and modifying calculations and processes in LIMS as necessary. Facilitate proper sample identification, transport, preparation, handling, analyzing and disposal of domestic and foreign soils that are regulated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Queries databases in response to customer needs and inquiries for specific data sets, performs data review, processing and interpretation and produces custom reports. Prepare written methods and make presentations about laboratory data, procedures and analytical results/operations according to management directives.

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. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• 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/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
• Physical Demands: The work is mainly sedentary but lab work may involve standing for long periods, exposure to chemicals and other irritants, and lifting of trays, chemical containers, cartons and bags.
• Work Environment: Work area is usually an office setting but lab work may include moderate risks of exposure to irritant chemicals that requires special safety precautions; protective clothing; and other gear as the situation warrants.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying: GS-06: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-06 level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service that included: Collecting soil samples and preparing them for analysis; Maintaining detailed records of experimental data; and Operating specialized equipment in a laboratory setting. OR Education: One full year of graduate education in physical science, soil science, chemistry, or other directly related field. (Must submit transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above that total 100% when combined. Determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Must submit transcripts.) GS-07 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service that included: Assisting with soil sample management, laboratory processes, and soil data collection and distribution; Helping update and support a laboratory information management system by providing software updates and correcting malfunctions; and Applying appropriate procedures and techniques when managing databases that contain soil analytical data. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) OR Education: One full year of graduate education in physical science, soil science, chemistry, or other directly related field. (Must submit transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above that total 100% when combined. Determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Must submit transcripts.) GS-08 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-08 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service that included: Collecting, organizing, and distributing laboratory data; Utilizing database applications such as Microsoft Access; Collecting and organizing soil analytical data for data modeling and assisting with data modeling procedures; and Working with a laboratory information management system to manage laboratory samples and soil analytical data collection. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) OR Education: Must have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of graduate education in physical science, soil science, chemistry, or other directly related field. (Must submit transcripts.) OR Combination: A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above that total 100% when combined. Determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Must submit transcripts.) IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. The OPM Qualification Standards for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series

Education

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Staff Acquisition
• Phone: 8164265706
• Email: [email protected]