Soil Scientist Job in Buffalo, WY

Vacancy No. WYDE-25-12587752-JP Department Bureau of Land Management
Salary $49,025.00 to $94,317.00 Grade 7 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/25/2024 Close Date 11/8/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Buffalo, WY


Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

This position is located in Buffalo, WY. The Buffalo Field Office is located in north-central Wyoming, nestled against the eastern slope of the Big Horn Mountains in Buffalo, Wyoming. Buffalo was selected as one of the True West Towns of 2018 and 2019 by True West Magazine.

We expect to fill vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

  • GS7: Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to learn the types of surface disturbing activities that impact soils resources.
  • GS7: May recommend alternatives to reduce erosion, improve forage production and plant diversity, and accomplish project objectives.
  • GS7: Utilizes existing soil and/or ecological site description data to learn how to interpret the information for land health evaluations.
  • GS7: Coordinates with a senior specialist and the supervisor to learn how to interpret if existing soils data is sufficient for data analysis or if additional soils data must be obtained.
  • GS7: Participates as an interdisciplinary team member in collecting and compiling soils data and information from a field setting to determine the baseline soils conditions.
  • GS7: Assists with investigations of direct effects of restoration activities on soil health.
  • GS9: Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to assess surface disturbing activities.
  • GS9: Utilizes existing soil and/or ecological site description data information to support activities such as land health evaluations.
  • GS9: In coordination with a senior specialist identifies, classifies, and describes the soil chemical profiles based on the existing field and laboratory examination and existing scientific determinations of soil physical characteristics.
  • GS9: Assists and coordinates with senior specialists on conducting investigations of the direct effects of restoration activities.
  • GS9: Is an interdisciplinary member that participates in the development of monitoring criteria for reclamation and restoration plans and/or standards.
  • GS11: Serves as the expert advisor and consultant on soil productivity, quality, suitability, and limitations in which the generated information is used in land health assessments, land use planning, and in analyzing land use activities.
  • GS11: Leads an interdisciplinary team or participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to assess surface disturbing activities with respect to the impacts to the chemical and physical properties of soils.
  • GS11: Prepares and conducts formal and informal technical training for other Federal agencies, State agencies, private entities, and BLM specialists.
  • GS11: Provides technical skill to independently determine if existing soils data is sufficient for data analysis or if additional soils data must be obtained.
  • GS11: Independently collects, compiles, and conducts complex analysis of soils data and information from a field setting to determine the baseline soils conditions.
  • GS11: Is a team lead or interdisciplinary member in the development of achievable reclamation and restoration plans and/or standards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the How to Apply and Required Documents Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • May require a one-year probationary trial period.

Qualifications

This position has an individual occupational requirement. In addition to meeting the IOR in order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

FOR GS-7: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-011 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples:
  • This position requires knowledge and technical skills in research, interpretation, and advising on ecosystem restoration. Assists, coordinates, or conducts investigations of direct effects of restoration activities, to be used when developing restoration plans and/or standards.
  • This includes identification, interpretation, and description of impacts, as a result of surface disturbing operations
-OR- Education: 1 year of graduate-level education

- OR-Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position

FOR GS-9: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-011 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples:
  • The position requires understanding and technical skill in research, interpretation, and making recommendations on ecosystem restoration.
  • Assists and coordinates with higher graded specialists on conducting investigations of direct effects of restoration activities, to be used when developing restoration plans and/or standards.
-OR- Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

FOR GS-11: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-011 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples:
  • This position researches, interprets, and advises on ecosystem restoration.
  • Directs, coordinates or conducts investigations of direct effects of restoration activities, to be used when developing restoration plans and/or standards.
-OR- 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: This position involves both office and field work. Office work (performed roughly 60% of the time) is primarily sedentary in nature. Field work (performed roughly 40% of the time) involves gathering samples and other data, monitoring and inventory activities, and participation in project work. This work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of walking, standing, bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, lifting, or riding in or driving vehicles over rough, uneven, or rocky terrain. The incumbent must travel into remote locations on foot or by vehicles (two and four-wheel drive trucks or UTV's) under a wide variety of climatic conditions and elevations to carry out some assignments. The work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples. Field work may also involve working in areas characterized by burning vegetation, snags, and other dangers inherent to wildfire

Work Environment: This position involves both office and field work. Office work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually does not require any special safety equipment or considerations. Field work exposes the incumbent to a variety of terrains, climates, and temperature extremes, and requires physical exertion by the incumbent to examine subsurface soil characteristics. Field work involves use of motorized and non-motorized equipment that may constitute safety hazards in order to collect soil samples. The incumbent may be exposed to hostile wildlife or livestock; poisonous insects, plants, and reptiles; and/or other chemical and physical hazards while carrying out field work. These situations require the incumbent to exercise prudent judgment and observe and implement all appropriate safety precautions.

Education

This position has an individual occupational requirement. In order to qualify, you must meet one of the below:

  1. 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

  2. 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.
If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.

Additional information

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

** THIS IS A READVERTISEMENT OF ANNOUNCEMENT WYDE-24-12545228-JP
**Applicants who applied under the previous announcement MUST reapply to receive consideration.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GS-11. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Conscientiousness
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Rangeland Management
  • Soil Science


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the following additional assessment: Subject Matter Expert Resume Panel Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk

Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.

Transcripts: You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, 'Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,' (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable) OR written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.

If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit documentation that supports your claim as shown on the back of the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. SF-15.

If you are claiming Sole Survivorship Veterans' Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.

Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.

Please note that documents selected for transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application. You need to transfer your document(s) in the 'Documents' step during the application process.

Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.

Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by 11/08/2024. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at 307-775-6026. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the Internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying
.PLEASE NOTE: If you have access to a public library, State Job Service Office, etc., you should use these resources to apply online. You must follow the steps described below to complete the application process:

YOU MUST HAVE OR CREATE A PROFILE IN USAJOBS. Your profile must contain a current resume for submission. See Required Documents section for what to include in your resume.

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.

The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is an available tool when you login to your USAJOBS account.

  1. Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you selected. You must provide proof of your eligibility to be considered.
  2. You must submit a resume and also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  • The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes".
  • Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
  • To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12587752
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (Welcome | Login.gov), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.

FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 11/08/2024. NOTE: Technical problems may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

BLM HR WY
Address
BLM Wyoming State Office
BLM Wyoming State Office, WY-953
5353 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement email from USAJobs that your submission was successful once we have received your online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJobs account after the evaluation process is complete. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement, at the discretion of Federal hiring officials. Department of the Interior may share the list of eligible candidates with other Federal agencies/departments, authorized to appoint new employees under the same hiring procedures if the position is in the same: job series, grade level, promotion potential, and in the same geographic locations (including the same metro/commuting area) provided herein. You will have the opportunity to "opt-in" to appear on a shared list. "Opt-in" does not guarantee your application will be shared, but you will be contacted in the event your application is shared.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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