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Research Weed Scientist
Description of Duties
• 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.
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 0401Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.ORCombination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.Additional RequirementsIn 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 journalsExperience 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.
Type of position
Full Time
Salary
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 window
Location
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. 48037 Tubbs Road, Adams, Oregon 97810,
Closing Date
06/02/2024
Date Position Available
01/10/2024
USDA – Agricultural Research Service
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). ARS is one of four agencies in USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area. ARS is charged with extending the nation’s scientific knowledge and solving agricultural problems through its four national program areas: nutrition, food safety and quality; animal production and protection; natural resources and sustainable agricultural systems; and crop production and protection. ARS research focuses on solving problems affecting Americans every day.