Research Weed Scientist - Agricultural Research Service

Summary This position is located This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit in Pendleton, OR. In this position, you will implement approaches that reduce the impact of weeds and improve agroecosystem sustainability and productivity. Responsibilities Develop integrated weed management practices that increase yield, reduce crop losses, and are compatible with farming techniques promoting natural resource conservation. Improve control of herbicide resistant weeds such as downy brome (Bromus tectorum), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and other weeds that are impacting yields of wheat. Develop methods to assess and map weed infestations to enable variable rate applications of semi-selective herbicides. Determine how crop rotation impacts weed ecology and identify rotations that reduce losses from weeds in seed cropping systems. Use remote sensing to broaden the scope of measured variables and research objectives, and the scale of the data collection. Integrate aspects of weed science, ecology, and agronomy to identify patterns across scales to assess weed pressure and measure system and crop responses to integrated management practices. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Basic Requirements for General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements 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: Utilizing integrated weed management systems that incorporate emerging digital agricultural technologies, weed-related ecoinformatics, and weed biological data; and developing support systems that decrease reliance on herbicides and enable alternative weed management options. 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 GS13level of this position are: Developing integrated weed management systems that increase yield, reduce crop losses, and are compatible with farming techniques promoting natural resource conservation; employing innovative uses of remote sensing to broaden the scope of measured variables and research objectives; and authorship in peer-reviewed research articles or journals 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. 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 71 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. *Final grade level may be determined by a peer review panel. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.