Duties

• Performs and/or facilitates sample processing, and chemical, physical, mineralogical, biological, spectroscopic, and novel analyses.
• Ship and/or facilitates shipment of soil samples. Uses record keeping vehicles to document receipt and shipment of soil samples.
• Utilizes and/or maintains and/troubleshoots laboratory instruments, including infrared spectrometers, x-ray fluorescence analyzers, automated extractors, and other instrumentation.
• Participates in outreach activities according to management priorities and directives.
• Provides customer service to clarity analytical requests, and to provide and interpret laboratory data to meet mission requirements.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator\'s license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.


Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:
Specialized Experience GS-09: To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.
This experience must include at least three (3) of the following:
1. Performed laboratory analyses of soil samples to be used for classifying, mapping and interpreting soil resources.
2. Ensured compliance with state or federal regulations applicable to quarantined soils, such as packaging, transportation, laboratory handling, sterilization of regulated of soil articles.
3. Utilized a database to record, organize and report soil analytical data.
4. Assisted in the development of new or approved methods for soil analysis or sample management.
5. Assembled data for the development of new methods, technologies and procedures for soil analysis or sample management.
6. Assisted in writing standardized protocols for existing or new methods of soil analysis; or shipment and management of soil samples.
7. Recognized and resolved irregular data patterns based on soil science principles.
8. Wrote standardized protocols for existing or new methods of analysis or management of soil samples.
9. Adapted and adjust complex soil analytical instruments for optimal method precision and accuracy.
10. Provided training on soil analytical methods and use of complex instruments.

OR

Graduate level education substitution GS-09: Graduate education meets the specialized experience required only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Two full years of graduate education or a master\'s degree meets the requirements for GS-9.

OR

Combination of education and experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above meets the requirements for the GS-09. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Note: Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.

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.

Specialized Experience GS-10: To qualify for the GS-10 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.
This experience must include at least four (4) of the following:
1. Performed laboratory analyses of soil samples to be used for classifying, mapping and interpreting soil resources.
2. Ensured compliance with state or federal regulations applicable to quarantined soils, such as packaging, transportation, laboratory handling, sterilization of regulated of soil articles.
3. Utilized a database to record, organize and report soil analytical data.
4. Assisted in the development of new or approved methods for soil analysis or sample management.
5. Assembled data for the development of new methods, technologies and procedures for soil analysis or sample management.
6. Assisted in writing standardized protocols for existing or new methods of soil analysis; or shipment and management of soil samples.
7. Recognized and resolved irregular data patterns based on soil science principles.
8. Wrote standardized protocols for existing or new methods of analysis or management of soil samples.
9. Adapted and adjust complex soil analytical instruments for optimal method precision and accuracy.
10. Provided training on soil analytical methods and use of complex instruments.

Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.
This experience must include at least five (5) of the following:
1. Performed laboratory analyses of soil samples to be used for classifying, mapping and interpreting soil resources.
2. Ensured compliance with state or federal regulations applicable to quarantined soils, such as packaging, transportation, laboratory handling, sterilization of regulated of soil articles.
3. Utilized a database to record, organize and report soil analytical data.
4. Assisted in the development of new or approved methods for soil analysis or sample management.
5. Assembled data for the development of new methods, technologies and procedures for soil analysis or sample management.
6. Assisted in writing standardized protocols for existing or new methods of soil analysis; or shipment and management of soil samples.
7. Recognized and resolved irregular data patterns based on soil science principles.
8. Wrote standardized protocols for existing or new methods of analysis or management of soil samples.
9. Adapted and adjust complex soil analytical instruments for optimal method precision and accuracy.
10. Provided training on soil analytical methods and use of complex instruments.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards

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.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. 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. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement.

Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.

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

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activity, or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (under 50 pounds) such as lifting and carrying stream gauging weights, data collection and monitoring devices, or sample trays.
• Work Environment: The work area may include exposure to environments such as a laboratory involving moderate risks or discomforts from regular and recurring exposure to irritant chemicals that requires special safety precautions, protective clothing, and other gear as the situation warrants; or an area involving exposure to moderate risks or discomforts such as high levels of noise and vibration, dust, grease, uncovered moving parts of machinery, engine exhaust, or irritant fumes that requires protective clothing and gear and special safety precautions.
• PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following:
  • If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted.
  • If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline.
• This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.
• Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

• 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.
  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. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management\'s (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran\'s preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants\' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

• Laboratory Analysis
• Quality Assurance
• Soil Science

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11898434

• 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.
  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.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you\'re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you\'re eligible under their policies. The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
  • Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
  • If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • If claiming veteran\'s preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran\'s preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran\'s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
  • If claiming 10-point veteran\'s preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans\' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans\' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
  
  

  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
  
  Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
  
  Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
  
  This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
  
  To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
  
  NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency\'s staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency\'s staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50s or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
  

  Agency contact information

  Andrea Crittendon

  
  
  

  Email

  Andrea.Crittendon@usda.gov
  

  Address

  
  Natural Resources Conservation Service
  1400 Independence Ave SW
  Washington, DC 20250
  US

  Next steps

  
  Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
  
  Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Fair and Transparent
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veteran\'s preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran\'s preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran\'s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veteran\'s preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans\' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans\' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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.

Help

This job is open to

• 
  

  Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
  
• 
  

  The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.