Soil Scientist

About this role

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 Education Requirement: GS-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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement GS-11 Level: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.

Examples of specialized experience may include: (1) Providing direct technical soil support to field offices by delivering resource soil scientist services, processing Farm Bill program assessments, and collaborating with soil survey offices on the maintenance, interpretation, and distribution of soil survey information; AND (2) Delivering soil information and training activities such as conducting educational/soil information outreach and providing technical training to employees and other technical specialists.

OR Education at the GS-11 grade level: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as soil science or a closely related discipline. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position.