Soil Scientist (Recent Graduate)

Job Overview

Summary

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps America’s farmers and ranchers conserve the Nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources. We need people who want to apply their education and experience to make sure we all enjoy the benefits of productive soil, clean water, clean air, and abundant wildlife that come from a healthy environment.  “Helping People Help the Land”http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating  individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year learning the fundamentals of the position for which they can be converted.  For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads 

Candidates selected from this announcement may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the competitive service provided that all terms of the Recent Graduate Program are met and there is an available position. Conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed.

Duties

As a Soil Scientist (Recent Graduate), you will be performing the following duties under direct supervision; Assignments will be developmental in nature and will assist the employee gain the competencies necessary for a career:

• Utilizes soil-landscape relationships to systematically map and describe the way soils occur in the landscape. 
• Identifies and acquires the appropriate spatial data layers necessary to create and maintain a digitally-based soils map . 
• Determines and applies principles, practices, and methods to apply plant species identification and the use of plants as indicators of soil type, ecological sites, and soil-site and topographic relationships.
• Assists plant scientist and the MLRA Soil Survey Leader to document soil-plant relationships, collect production estimates for crops, trees and grasses and develop/gather other information for ecological site descriptions.

Travel Required

• Occasional Travel
• As required to perform the duties of the position and the requirements of the Pathways Program.

Relocation Authorized

• No

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the eligibility, education and qualification requirements listed below by the closing date of the announcement.

Basic Education Requirement: 
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.

Applicants that meet the basic education requirement qualify for the GS-5 level. 
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.edu.gov/.
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. *** Click HERE for more information.

If selected for this Recent Graduate Appointment, the applicant will be required to complete the following:
Employment Requirements: 
• Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. The position may require a background investigation at the time of appointment, and may be subject to reinvestigation every five years thereafter. A favorable adjudication of the background investigation at the time of appointment and on reinvestigations is a condition of employment.
• If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system. Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
• Serve a trial period for the duration of the appointment.

Conversion Requirements:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Complete all training and Pathway Program requirements.
• Performing the job successfully.
• Meet the qualifications for the position being converted.

Security Clearance

Not Applicable

To Apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/453532200