Key Requirements

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to satisfactory completion of one year trial period.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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.

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Knowledge in weed ecology and biology, and the federal noxious weed regulations.
• Knowledge of weed risk assessment tools, statistical methods and software for data analysis.
• Ability to synthesize and analyze data and communicate the results effectively both verbally and in writing to audiences with varying levels of technical competency.
• Experience conducting independent and team research in the areas of weed science, ecology, or agricultural sciences with demonstrated completion of research by the publication of results in peer-reviewed journals.

OR

2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master\’s degree or master\’s or equivalent graduate degree in Ecology or Biology.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience in weed ecology and weed-landscape interactions. Comprehensive knowledge of laws, regulations, and management practices associated with weeds. Knowledge about federal and state noxious weed regulations.
• Experience in using statistical and mathematical models in weed risk assessment, including sensitivity and uncertainty analyses.
• Interpersonal skills and good oral and written communication skills necessary to work and communicate results effectively both within and outside government settings.
• Experience planning and conducting individual research in the areas of weed evolution and risk analysis, with demonstrated completion of research by the publication of results in peer-reviewed journals.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Ecology or Biology.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9/11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following:

Combining Education and Experience for Professional and Scientific Positions

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.

Special Conditions:

• As a condition of employment, satisfactory completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check may be required for this position.
• Successful completion of a one-year trial period (if new hire to the Federal service).
• This position is designated a public trust position and is subject to satisfactory completion and favorable adjudication of initial background investigation and reinvestigation as a condition of employment.
• Position may be eligible for telework.
• The position is mainly sedentary in an office or home office environment; however, it may be necessary on occasion to travel in commercial conveyances, such as plane or rail. On occasion, it may be necessary to lift or carry reports, publications, and similar objects, as well as perform extended walking and standing associated with on-site reviews and inspections.
• Work environment will vary. Generally, ninety percent of the time will be spent in an office environment. The remainder of the time will be associated with travel to meetings and conferences, field tours, project-related briefings, and presentations at industry and professional scientific meetings.