Research Ecologist/Research Meteorologist

Summary
This Research Ecologist/Research Meteorologist supports the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station and is located in Durham, NH.
This scientist will conduct research that describes the mechanisms of forest greenhouse gas (primarily CO2, CH4, N2O), water, and energy exchange at multiple scales.
For more information about this position, contact Dr. Erik A. Lilleskov at erik.a.lilleskov@usda.gov
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.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
Videos
Duties

• This unit's mission is to develop and provide the basic science, quantitative methods, and technology needed to make decisions about forest ecosystems and the atmosphere related to climate change, fire, and carbon
• The scientist's research will Improve understanding of forest greenhouse gas, water, and energy exchange to better inform decisions that are made concerning forest management, carbon sequestration, natural disturbance, and the climate system.
• The scientist will utilize flux tower data and methods to better understand how ecosystems can be managed to increase the uptake and persistence of stored carbon and will address other questions relating to nature-based climate solutions.
• The scientist has lead responsibility for the AmeriFlux core eddy covariance site at Howland Research Forest.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Completion of a three-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if employee will be retained.
• 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.

Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. 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 will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position. Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae.
Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position.
To ensure consideration for this position, attach both graduate and undergraduate transcripts. Provide course descriptions to clarify content of coursework as necessary.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.
Required Education:
0408:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/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.
1340: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/
Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:

1. 1. At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:
      
      1. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*
      2. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);
      3. Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and
      4. Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
   2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*
   3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*
   4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

or
Combination of education and experience course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
* There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Specialized experience at this level is defined as:

• Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: improving understanding of forest greenhouse gas (primarily CO2, CH4, N2O), water, and energy exchange at multiple scales in time and space to better inform decisions that are made concerning forest management, carbon sequestration, natural disturbance, and the climate system; or how a changing climate impacts the functioning, carbon storage, and climate forcing (feedbacks to climate change) of forest or wetland ecosystems
• Interpreting measurements of ecosystem gas exchange/ecosystem flux using eddy covariance methods
• Securing funding for scientific research through a variety of external funding sources
• Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals

GS-13: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Specialized experience at this level is defined as:

• Conducting a diversity or body of research in forest greenhouse gas (primarily CO2, CH4, N2O), water, and energy exchange as a Principal Investigator, or project member on multiple studies, that include the full cycle of scientific research (i.e. identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities)as it pertains to: improving understanding of forest greenhouse gas (primarily CO2, CH4, N2O), water, and energy exchange at multiple scales in time and space to better inform decisions that are made concerning forest management, carbon sequestration, natural disturbance, and the climate system; or how a changing climate impacts the functioning, carbon storage, and climate forcing (feedbacks to climate change) of forest or wetland ecosystems
• Developing and testing new ways of making and interpreting measurements of ecosystem gas exchange/ecosystem flux using eddy covariance methods (required), and preferred experience in linking EC (eddy covariance) measurements with remote sensing, intensive biometric data (such as tree ring increments or inventory data), or ecosystem modeling

• Developing and disseminating research findings in collaboration with resource managers and planners for presentation at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed 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, 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.
Education
See above for required education and/or graduate level education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.
Qualifying graduate education for the GS-12 grade level: Transcripts must show conferred Ph.D. degree that included scientific research in areas related to the work of the position which is understanding of forest greenhouse gas (primarily CO2, CH4, N2O), water, and energy exchange at multiple scales and/or includes coursework in areas such as ecosystem science, plant physiological ecology, meteorology, and statistics. Work with eddy covariance methods is required.
Additional information
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.
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 not guaranteed.
This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
This position is eligible for telework.
The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/
This is not a bargaining unit position.
Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.
Government Housing may be available.

• 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.
A Direct-Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, including any applicable selective placement factor(s), will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the application documents are reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect whether you are considered. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-select...