Resource Soil Scientist

Natural Resources Conservation Service; Bowling Green (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Ohio seeks a Resource Soil Scientist responsible for maintenance, interpretation and distribution of soil survey information. The incumbent provides training to NRCS employees and other technical specialists, supporting users of soil survey data.

The role includes technical review of soil survey information, assistance with conservation planning, highly erodible land and wetland determinations, and coordination with agencies to address complex

Qualifications

• Basic requirement: degree in soil science or closely related discipline with required coursework.
• Specialized experience: at least 1 year at GS-11 level equivalent in soil science.
• Experience includes interpreting soil data and solving complex soil issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical review and guidance on soil survey information.
• Assist with conservation planning, land determinations and environmental assessments.
• Coordinate products and activities with agencies to address soil-related challenges.
• Make wetland determinations following established procedures.
• Assist during program signup and interpret soil data for determinations.

Skills

Soil science knowledge

Soil survey interpretation

Analytical thinking

Education

Soil science degree

Job description

Summary

This position is located in Ohio of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The incumbent in this position serves as the Resource Soil Scientist responsible for maintenance, interpretation and distribution of soil survey information. Conducts information and education activities related to soils and soil surveys.
This position provides training to NRCS employees and other technical specialists, providing support to users of soil survey information.

Duties

• Provides technical review and guidance in the application of soil survey information through the assigned State.
• Assists with conservation planning, highly erodible land and wetland determinations, environmental assessments and natural resource management training and activities.
• Coordination of products, services and activities within and between agencies and organizations to solve complex situations involving soils.
• Makes wetland determinations following procedures as outlined by guidance.
• Assists during program signup and application periods. Interprets soil data and makes determinations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• 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 may be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are unable to reimburse for any fees incurred.
• Probationary Period: Successful completion of a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. Refer to Next Steps for more information.
• 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.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.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Basic Requirement: GS-470:

1. 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

2. 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.

In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience Requirement: Must possess at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Investigating, analyzes and evaluating soil survey information and problems involving a wide variety of circumstances or unusual conditions
• Resolving complex soil issues
• Developing new methods and practices and modifying/adapting soils science guidelines to intricate issues.

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

College Transcript: If qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with course number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. 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 to ensure proper evaluation. Your education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited toward qualifications. You may verify accreditation by visiting the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs website. We will verify your education accordingly. Foreign Education: You must submit verification that education completed in a foreign institution, was recognized by an accreditation body accepted by the U.S. Department of Education. You must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Your transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcript at the initial phase of the application process. However, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (