Job Title: Physical Scientist

Department: Department Of Agriculture

Agency: Forest Service

Sub Agency: Forest Service

Job Announcement Number: 11-5507-0068DP-EB

JOB SUMMARY:

Duties

Additional Duty Location Info:

001 vacancies - Arlington, VA

 DUTIES:



Supports agency-wide activities within the agricultural development area by reviewing and analyzing data; developing strategies, analytical models, and methodologies; and providing assistance and advice on sectoral issues.



Plans projects that involve the use of or that have an impact on natural resources. Ensures that activities on public land are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Identifies problems associated with public land uses and their effect/impact on wildlife habitat, soil and watershed properties, restoration, archaeological values, and various aspects of vegetation. Considers alternatives to avoid and minimize natural resource impacts, such as the planning and implementation of actions for restoration of resources or habitats under various ecosystem-based authorities.



Prepares reports and analyses that assess environmental conditions and impacts, such as biological opinions, evaluations, listing documents, endangered species recovery plans, and/or habitat conservation plans. Writes and/or reviews site-specific mitigating measures for environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.

 

Qualifications and Evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree or higher degree that included a major field of study in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester/36 quarter hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience----education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-14.

Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

Specialized experience directly related to this position should be documented in the Work History section of the online application. Applicants are encouraged to provide a narrative in the Work History section that describes the duties performed relative to the specialized experience defined for this position. Show percentage of time performing these duties if work involved a variety of different duties, i.e., where only a portion of the work experience would be creditable for this position.



Specialized experience for this position is defined as one or more of the following:



--Designed global change research projects (adaptation, mitigation, and decision support systems), including identifying and implementing necessary actions related to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Developed new or revised policies that incorporated global change research findings and national directives and programs.



--Developed and provided direction for implementation of national policies, standards, procedures and performing measures for global change research, and provided leadership in program reviews, and program development.



--Developed policies, strategies, and plans for improving global change research activities and related research, development, and applications activities. Provided scientific information to ensure sustainable resource use and to better understand human-forest ecosystem interactions.

See Other Information for further requirements.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.

 BENEFITS:See Other Information.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position is located with the Research and Development, Forest Management Sciences Staff. This position is located in Arlington (Rosslyn), Virginia and provides leadership, oversight, and vision for Global Climate Change research.

This position has a positive education requirement; therefore, a legible copy of your college transcripts is required. Transcripts must be attached to your Avue application or faxed to 253-573-9869 prior to the closing date of the announcement; please include your name and the announcement number on all documents. Applicants who fail to submit their transcripts with their application will not be given credit for their education.

If you are claiming 10-point preference as a widow/widower of a certain deceased veteran, spouse of a veteran unable to work because of a service connected disability, or the mother of a deceased or disabled veteran, you must submit an SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and all supporting documentation listed on the second page of the SF-15. If you fail to submit the supporting documentation with your application, you will not be granted veterans preference. If you are not able to attach the forms to your application, you may fax to 253-573-9869, please include your name and the announcement number on all documents.

We expect to make a final job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications.

Please read the vacancy announcement thoroughly and follow all instructions to ensure proper consideration. If you are unable to apply on-line or have questions about the meaning of items in the vacancy announcement, please contact Human Resources Management at 1-877-372-7248.

Work history should contain sufficient information to validate qualifications and specialized experience claimed in the questionnaire.

Applications may be reviewed to verify qualifications and eligibility prior to issuing lists to a selecting official.

For additional information about the duties of the position, please contact Carlos Rodriguez-Franco at (703) 605-5252 or crodriguezfranco@fs.fed.us.

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

Please check Job Posting Information, Summary, for the area of consideration (i.e., Who May Apply), and time limit information.

Bargaining Unit Status: Not eligible.

BASIS OF RATING: The category rating procedure is used to rank and select eligible candidates. Under category rating, applicants who meet basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position and whose job related competencies have been assessed are ranked by being placed in one of the following categories: Quality, Well Qualified, and Eligible. Candidates placed in the Quality category will be assessed based on Education, High Ability, or Experience. Well Qualified candidates are those who clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements but do not necessarily meet the criteria for the Quality category. Candidates in the eligible category meet basic minimum qualification requirements but do not meet the criteria for the Well Qualified category. Preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Drug testing is a requirement for certain positions. See "Other Significant Facts" portion of this announcement for information specific to position being filled.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements as of the closing date of the announcement or on the date a referral list is generated from an Open Continuous announcement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure the work history portion thoroughly documents the duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments that are directly related to this position in order to verify specialized experience.

To ensure that you receive consideration, the scannable application package must be postmarked on or before the closing date stated in the announcement and must be received at the correct address within 7 days.

Applications submitted in postage-paid Government envelopes will not be accepted.

Applications received become the property of the USDA Forest Service and will not be returned.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The USDA Forest Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Forest Service affiliated child/day care facilities are not available.

Government housing is not available.

BENEFITS: A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holiday; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation, flexible work schedule, training and development opportunities, family/worklife program, etc.

Transfer of Station/Relocation expenses will not be paid except for current, permanent federal employees.

Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. The position may require a Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret security clearance or be subject to a Public Trust background investigation at the time of appointment, and may be subject to reinvestigation every five years thereafter. A favorable adjudication of the clearance or background investigation at the time of appointment and on reinvestigations is a condition of employment.

As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

This position is being advertised under both merit promotion (internal) and demonstration project (external) procedures under separate announcements. Applicants who wish to be considered under both procedures must apply to each announcement and follow the specific instructions applicable to each method. 

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Generally, preference is granted to veterans who entered the military service prior to October 14, 1976; or served on active duty during the period from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, and who are otherwise eligible; or who served on active duty during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or who have served in a military action for which they received a Campaign Badge or Expeditionary Medal. This includes the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) awarded to those who participated in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard. Also, you may be entitled to veterans' preference if you are a disabled veteran; you have received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a disabled veteran; or you are the widow, widower, or mother of a deceased veteran. Applicants will be required to provide documents with their application to validate their claim for preference. More detailed information is available on the Main Menu screen under the selection entitled, "Veteran Information."

Completion of a probationary or trial period may be required, depending on the type of appointment. During this time period, employees conduct and performance will be monitored in order to determine if employee will be retained.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Check our website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs for general information on the Forest Service.

Applications must be certified online by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date indicated on the Vacancy Announcement. Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications early in the opening period. The Forest Service is not responsible for nonreceipt of online applications. You will be notified of successful receipt of your application via the e-mail indicated on your application.

HOW TO APPLY: In order to determine if you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for this position, please submit the following information:



1. Experience/Employment Information:



a. Apply On-Line at www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html. This online application process allows applicants to submit employment information that can be printed for personal use and saved and/or edited on the website for future use. The application process contains all the data elements that are required for resumes submitted for federal employment and may be submitted electronically. OR



b. Apply by Scannable Questionnaire: This Questionnaire requires completion of a scannable form. You must request the instructions and form and submit the scannable application form and supporting documentation by mail. Locations and their codes will be listed in the application package. A facsimile of the scannable form cannot be accepted.



2. Eligibility Information: The following documents must be electronically attached to your application to verify your eligibility and basic qualifications. Failure to provide this documentation may result in disqualification.



a. If you are claiming 5-point veterans preference, you must submit a DD-214, Member 4 copy. If you are claiming 10-point preference you must submit a DD214, Member 4 copy, an SF-15 (Application for 10-Point preference) and a letter (dated 1991 to present) from the VA or military department indicating your disability rating. Applicants claiming preference based on service performed after October 14, 1976, must specify on the application the Campaign Badge upon which they are basing their claim. If you are still on active duty and claim veterans preference, then you must submit documentation such as a: (1) official orders or citation entitling you to a campaign badge; (2) statement of service from a commanding officer or someone else in authority attesting to your active duty which identifies dates of entry and anticipated separation; rank at time of discharge; and anticipated character of discharge; or (3) in the case of someone claiming service during the first Gulf War or since 9/11/01, any official document attesting to your presence on active duty during the appropriate calendar periods. Veterans who fail to submit the supporting documentation with their application will not be granted veterans preference. If you are not able to attach the forms to your application, you may fax to 253-573-9869, please include name on all documents.



b. Transcripts (official or unofficial) are required if education is used to meet basic qualifications requirements or meet education criteria in the quality category. Transcripts should be attached to the Avue profile or faxed to 253-573-9869; please include name on all documents.



3. CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Notice of Expected Separation, performance appraisal information for current Federal employees or other proof documents are required if requesting priority placement consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). CTAP and ICTAP candidates must be well qualified. Submit SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action or equivalent document to verify current or former federal employment status should also be submitted.

TO REQUEST A SCANNABLE FORM: Please refer to the contact name and phone number listed in this vacancy announcement.

 HOW TO APPLY:Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for USDA Forest Service applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=YOUPR.



If you are unable to apply online, you may contact the employing office for alternate application procedures. Please call ASC HRM Staffing at 1-877-372-7248 or email at fsjobs@fs.fed.us.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:See Other Information.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

ASC HRM Staffing Phone: 1-877-372-7248 Fax: 1-866-339-1634 TDD: 1-800-877-8339 Email: fsjobs@fs.fed.us

Agency Information: USDA Do not mail applications, see instructions on How to Apply tab. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109 US Fax: 1-866-339-1634

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.