Social Scientist/Biological Scientist/Physical Scientist

This Social Scientist/Biological Scientist/Physical Scientist position is with Forest Service (Department of Agriculture) in Phoenix, AZ. This position is in the Forest Service's Washington Office, Research and Development's (R&D) Headquarters' Staff. Serves as an Associate National Program Manager with responsibility for leadership in the establishment and implementation of top-level strategies for R&D objectives which may have significant effects on multiple program areas. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Wendy Zirngibl at wendy.zirngibl@usda.gov. Key duties: • Serves a consultant to senior level staff responsible for the mission area of the problem and may be occasionally called upon to provide authoritative professional advice to the Chief and Deputy Undersecretary on a wide range of matters. • As a recognized professional, scientific, or technical authority, the incumbent brings substantial creativity and ingenuity to the development of plans and proposals to address complex, emerging issues within the assigned program. • Assesses the adequacy of existing activities, identifies emerging issues and problems, anticipates the need for additional knowledge, and then develops project plans to address them. • Provides leadership within the assigned program for improving workplace safety and for becoming a more inclusive organization. • Recommends priorities among projects within the assigned program. Qualifications: In order 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. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below. Basic Requirement: GS-0101 Series: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. GS-0401 Series: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major. OR A combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the position. GS-1301 Series: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-14 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as all of the following: Provided authoritative scientific and technical guidance to senior Forest Service and USDA leadership; Led key national program elements involving complex scientific, technical, and human centered challenges; Assessed program needs, identified emerging issues, and developed project plans, goals, timelines, and resource estimates; Set project priorities and coordinate activities across Forest Service mission areas to ensure alignment and sustained progress; and Engaged with internal and external clients to gather feedback, support problem solving, and strengthen program effectiveness. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.