RESEARCH LEADER

The incumbent serves as Supervisory Research Ecologist/Rangeland Scientist/Soil Scientist/Hydraulic Engineer/Hydrologist (Research Leader) in the Watershed Management Research Unit in Boise, ID.

Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel.*

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.

All applicants must meet the individual occupational requirements for at least one of the series identified below.

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.

Rangeland Management Series, 0454:

1. Degree: range management; or a related discipline that included at least 42 semester hours in a combination of the plant, animal, and soil sciences, and natural resources management, as follows:
- Range Management -- At least 18 semester hours of course work in range management, including courses in such areas as basic principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, range inventories and studies, range improvements, and ranch or rangeland planning.
- Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal, and soil sciences, including at least one course in each of these three scientific areas, i.e., plant, animal, and soil sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, animal nutrition, livestock production, and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable.
- Related Resource Management Studies --At least 9 semester hours of course work in related resource management subjects, including courses in such areas as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages, and outdoor recreation management.
OR
2. Combination of education and experience: at least 42 semester hours of course work in the combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences and natural resources management shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Soil Science Series, 0470:

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.

*Please see Education section of the announcement for the Basic Requirements for the Civil Engineering, 0810 series and Hydrology, 1315 series.*

Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the basic requirement(s) above, all applicants must also meet additional minimum qualification requirements as stated below.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

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 or its non-federal equivalent communicating with stakeholders and translating their needs into researchable objectives; Experience managing research projects, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; AND Conducting and publishing peer-reviewed research in at least one of the following areas: 1) improving basic understanding and prediction of point-plot-watershed scale hydrologic and ecosystem processes; 2) assessing impacts of climate, fire, invasive species, and management action on rangeland health and productivity, threatened/endangered species conservation, ecohydrology, water quality, and/or sediment yield; 3) evaluating effects of rangeland vegetation change on soil water dynamics, soil health, soil carbon, streamflow generation, and/or groundwater recharge; 4) investigating climate, plant materials, and management factors affecting successful prediction of ecological restoration success, and developing climate smart adaptive rangeland strategies; or 5) developing remote sensing or other geospatial approaches for assessing impacts of disturbance and management on critical natural and cultural resources.

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 or its non-federal equivalent in leading multidisciplinary teams, acting as a liaison and communicating with stakeholders and translating their needs into researchable objectives; Experience enhancing scientific productivity, mentoring and supervising scientists and managing Unit research projects, including personnel, equipment and fiscal resources; AND Conducting and publishing peer-reviewed research in at least one of the following areas: 1) improving basic understanding and prediction of point-plot-watershed scale hydrologic and ecosystem processes; 2) assessing impacts of climate, fire, invasive species, and management action on rangeland health and productivity, threatened/endangered species conservation, ecohydrology, water quality, and/or sediment yield; 3) evaluating effects of rangeland vegetation change on soil water dynamics, soil health, soil carbon, streamflow generation, and/or groundwater recharge; 4) investigating climate, plant materials, and management factors affecting successful prediction of ecological restoration success, and developing climate smart adaptive rangeland strategies; or 5) developing remote sensing or other geospatial approaches for assessing impacts of disturbance and management on critical natural and cultural resources.

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.

Supervisory/Managerial Competencies - the following KSAs will also be used to evaluate candidates in the interview and selection process:
1. Ability to lead and accomplish work through others (i.e. team building, conflict management, cultural awareness, strategic thinking, technology management, and political savvy.)
2. Ability to communicate with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations.

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.