Soil Scientist

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions, for this series in conjunction with the Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0470 series). BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ALL GRADES: A. Degree: Bachelor’s or higher degree in 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. (You must submit transcripts.) OR B. 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. (You must submit transcripts. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: In addition to meeting the basic entry level qualification requirements, applicants must have the following: GS-12: In addition to the basic requirement, I have at least one year of specialized experience or the equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience may include: 1) conducting a full range of soil surveys and special investigations and interpreting data collected for the purpose of achieving goals in planning, developing and managing tribal natural resources; 2) independently performing conventional classification and mapping operations; 3) estimating crop yield data for different kinds of soils; 4) conducting drainage studies; 5) preparing tentative farm water requirements; 6) and realigning land classes in response to changes in land classification standards; 7) serving as a team leader and/or technical expert related to soil science matters. These examples are not all inclusive (refer to the summary of duties for specialized experience). All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date. Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (title 25, USC Section 472). Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.
This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region, Yakama Agency, Division of Trust Services, Natural Resources in Toppenish, Washington. This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see What are bargaining units? For Pay Flexibilities and Travel/Relocation authorized, read under ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.