Research Soil Scientist/Hydrologist /Agricultural Engineer

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 Soil Science Series, 0470 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. 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. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, 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: conducting experimental or modeling research in the areas of soil science, hydrology, or engineering focused on cropping systems; conducting field-based research in an agricultural setting to measure and evaluate soil and water samples; publishing research results in peer reviewed journals related to soil science, hydrology, or engineering; and collaborating with stakeholders. 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: planning and conducting research in the areas of soil science, hydrology, or engineering focused on cropping systems; improving crop water productivity and resilience with limited water resources; publishing original research as first author in peer-reviewed scientific journals related soil science, hydrology, or engineering; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; and presenting research findings at professional meetings of regional stature. 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: developing, planning, and conducting research in the areas of soil science, hydrology, or engineering focused on developing irrigated and dryland cropping systems; utilizing knowledge of soil hydrology in agricultural production settings and irrigation practices to develop and use models related to crop water usage; publishing independent research findings as either first or senior corresponding author in peer-reviewed journals related to soil science, hydrology, or engineering focused on the agricultural cropping systems; establishing collaborations with internal and external stakeholders; and presenting research findings at professional meetings of national stature. GS-15: 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: developing and leading research in the areas of soil science, hydrology, or engineering focused on improving knowledge and technologies to decrease the impact of aquifer depletion on sustainable irrigated and dryland crop production; refining innovative practices to manage water for sustainable agriculture production for marginally irrigated and dryland cropping systems in a region with increasingly limited availability of water for irrigation; publishing independent research findings as either first corresponding author in peer-reviewed journals related to soil science, hydrology, or engineering focused on the agricultural cropping systems; establishing collaborations with internal and external stakeholders including scientists and researchers; and presenting research findings at professional meetings of national and international 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 in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Soil & Water Management Research Unit in Bushland, TX. In this position, you will be responsible for conducting basic and applied research to improve resilience and crop water productivity of various irrigated and dryland cropping systems.