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Research Agronomist

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
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Summary

The incumbent will perform process and statistical modeling to predict nutrient losses from dairy forage cropping systems: Quantify cropping system, nutrient input, and weather impacts on soil erosion and losses of nitrogen in surface runoff from long-term paired watersheds using regional soil-water models and stochastic approaches and apply a whole farm process model to predict crop yields, nutrient uptake and losses; perform model calibration/validation as needed.

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
03/22/2023 to 03/21/2024
Salary
$69,107 to - $107,680 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Marshfield, WI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Local and domestic travel travel will be required for field work and to attend training and scientific meetings and conferences.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Excepted Service NTE 2 years (May be extended up to 4 years total).
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
RA-MWA23-L-11889806-JML
Control number
714588700

Duties

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  • Quantify cropping system, nutrient input, and weather impacts on soil erosion and losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in surface runoff from long-term paired watersheds using regional soil-water models and stochastic approaches
  • Apply a whole farm process model (Ruminant Farm Systems model; RuFaS) to predict crop yields, nutrient uptake and losses; perform model calibration/validation as needed
  • Work collaboratively with an incoming crop modeling scientist, RuFaS team, and supervisor to improve representation of soil biogeochemical processes, crop yield and uptakes.
  • Improve representation of environmental outcomes in RuFaS through incorporation of existing and novel process models built from relevant agri-environmental data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • 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/
  • Appropriations Law and Immigration Law requirements must be met

Qualifications

This position requires a Ph.D in Soil Science (Chemistry, Microbiology, Fertility/Plant Nutrition, or Nutrient Management), Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Ecology, Hydrology, or related field with experience with relevant modeling experience. Advanced knowledge of agronomy, nutrient management, statistics, and model development/application is highly desirable. or a related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Individual Occupational Requirements

Basic Requirements

  1. Degree: agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management.

    OR

  2. Combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.

A Ph.D. is required that was obtained within the last four years.

Additional information

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

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.

Provide the subjects with FBI's Privacy Act Notice and Privacy Rights before fingerprinting the subject in order to comply with the Privacy Act requirement found in the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 USC 522a(e)(3) and FBI's requirement to present the fingerprint subject with Privacy Rights. 3.2.4.1. FBI Privacy Act Notice: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/privacy-act-statement
or
Privacy Act Statement - FBI
3.2.4.2. Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/guiding-principles-agency-privacy-requirements-for-noncriminal-justice-applicants or
Agency Privacy Requirements for Noncriminal Justice Applicants - FBI

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

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.

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