This position is located in the Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory (KSSL), National Soil Survey Center (NSSC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in Lincoln, Nebraska. The incumbent serves as Lead Physical Science Technician and facilitates laboratory analysis of soil samples. Lead a team in performing sample extractions and preparation techniques to isolate and investigate soil components. Prepare reports and maintain records of work accomplishments to communicate with the supervisor.

Duties

Ensure the proper sample transport, handling, analyzing and disposal of domestic and foreign soils and manage hazardous materials in compliance with Federal regulations. Lead the development and testing of modified or new analytical, predictive, processing and evaluative methods or procedures. Monitor and report on the status and progress of work, check on work in progress and review completed work to see that work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met. Research, learn, and apply a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze and improve team effectiveness, efficiency and work products. Communicate team consensus and recommendations to the supervisor on actions affecting team and individual awards, rewards and recognition.

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: Long periods of standing; Recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activity; Recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing under 50 pounds.
• Work Environment: Laboratory involving moderate risks or discomforts from regular and recurring 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 including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Please note that this job opportunity announcement is only open to current Career/Career-Conditional employees of the FPAC, CTAP/RPL eligibles, and Farm Service Agency permanent county employees. If you do not possess this status, you will not receive consideration. Time In Grade Requirement: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-10 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. (Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No Award or General Adjustment SF-50's will be accepted). 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 in which you are applying: GS-11 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 grade level in the Federal service that included: Handling hazardous materials and proper disposal of domestic and foreign soils in compliance with regulations; Recording receipt and shipment of soil samples using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other record keeping system; Leading a team in soil sample processes including analysis and document results; and Participating in outreach activities in support of agency objectives. OR Education: Must have successfully completed three full years or progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree in soil science, chemistry, physics, biology, and/or other related disciplines. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (You must submit transcripts.) OR Combination: Must have a percentage of the education and experience as described above that totals 100% when combined. When combining education with experience, first determine total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100%. (Note: Only education in excess of two years (36 semester hours) is qualifying when calculating education percentage). (You must submit transcripts.) GS-12 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that included: Managing hazardous materials and proper disposal of domestic and foreign soils in compliance with regulations; Recording receipt and shipment of soil samples using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other record keeping system; Leading a team in soil sample processes including analysis and document results; Evaluating the effectiveness of team work methods and results; and Making recommendations to improve quality of work processes. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. 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 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

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. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Please check out this link for more information 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]