Interdisciplinary Research Scientist

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements for Ecology Series 0408: Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. Basic Requirements for Economist Series 0110: Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Basic Requirements for Social Science Series 0101: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described in the education section of the announcement, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: Experience using analytical techniques, such as life cycle analysis or other approaches, in the areas of production, environmental, social, and/or economic impacts of land management strategies; evaluating and interpreting research results related to agricultural production systems or technologies; and preparing reports of research results in the form of manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals or presentations at scientific meetings. GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: Experience planning and conducting research in the areas of production, environmental, social, and/or economic impacts of land management strategies; working knowledge of rangelands or croplands as well as modeling and systems analysis approaches; developing and testing systems-level hypotheses about the productivity, resource use, economics, or environmental impacts of agricultural/land use systems; publishing original research as first author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are: Experience developing, planning, and conducting research in the areas of production, environmental, social, and/or economic impacts of alternative land management strategies; working knowledge of rangelands or croplands as well as modeling and systems analysis approaches; contributing research to production, societal, economic, and environmental tradeoffs associated with management practices; publishing independent research findings in peer-reviewed journals; presenting research findings at professional meetings of regional stature; and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. GS-15: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-15 level of this position are: Experience leading scientific teams to quantify the effects of management practices and agroecosystem variations; expertise in rangelands or croplands as well as modeling and systems analysis approaches; publishing independent research findings as either first or senior corresponding author in peer-reviewed journals related to sustainability of agriculture and land management; establishing collaborations with internal and external stakeholders; and presenting research findings at professional meetings of national stature. 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. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area, Range Management Research Unit in Las Cruces, NM. In this position, you will serve as a Research Scientist and will conduct research on agroecosystem sustainability and resilience in the Southwestern US, with a focus on production, environmental, social, and economic impacts of alternative land management strategies.