Summary This position is located on the Soils Program staff in a State Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in an assigned state. The Soils Program performs analytical tests on soil samples to develop interpretations and decision support tools for customers to deliver conservation solutions. The position serves as Physical Science Technician, responsible for performing and facilitating laboratory analysis of soil samples Responsibilities Performs and/or facilitates sample processing, and chemical, physical, mineralogical, biological, spectroscopic, and novel analyses. Ship and/or facilitates shipment of soil samples. Uses record keeping vehicles to document receipt and shipment of soil samples. Utilizes and/or maintains and/troubleshoots laboratory instruments, including infrared spectrometers, x-ray fluorescence analyzers, automated extractors, and other instrumentation. Participates in outreach activities according to management priorities and directives. Provides customer service to clarity analytical requests, and to provide and interpret laboratory data to meet mission requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience GS-07: To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing laboratory analyses of soil samples to be used for classifying, mapping and interpreting soil resources. Ensuring compliance with state or federal regulations applicable to quarantined soils, such as packaging, transportation, laboratory handling, sterilization of regulated of soil articles. Utilizing a database to record, organize and report soil analytical data. Specialized Experience GS-08: To qualify for the GS-08 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing laboratory analyses of soil samples to be used for classifying, mapping and interpreting soil resources. Ensuring compliance with state or federal regulations applicable to quarantined soils, such as packaging, transportation, laboratory handling, sterilization of regulated of soil articles. Utilizing a database to record, organize and report soil analytical data. Adapting and adjusting complex soil analytical instruments for optimal method precision and accuracy. Specialized Experience GS-09: To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing laboratory analyses of soil samples to be used for classifying, mapping and interpreting soil resources. Ensuring compliance with state or federal regulations applicable to quarantined soils, such as packaging, transportation, laboratory handling, sterilization of regulated of soil articles. Utilizing a database to record, organize and report soil analytical data. Adapting and adjusting complex soil analytical instruments for optimal method precision and accuracy. Providing training on soil analytical methods and use of complex instruments. Performing a variety of complex sample extractions and/or preparation techniques to isolate and investigate soil properties. Graduate level education substitution GS-07/GS-08: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7/8. Graduate level education substitution GS-09: Graduate education meets the specialized experience required only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS-9 OR Combination of education and experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above meets the requirements for the GS-07/08/09. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Note: Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. 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 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 If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Promotion Potential: 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 neither implied nor guaranteed. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activity, or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (under 50 pounds) such as lifting and carrying stream gauging weights, data collection and monitoring devices, or sample trays. Work Environment: The work area may include exposure to environments such as a laboratory involving moderate risks or discomforts from regular and recurring exposure to irritant chemicals that requires special safety precautions, protective clothing, and other gear as the situation warrants; or an area involving exposure to moderate risks or discomforts such as high levels of noise and vibration, dust, grease, uncovered moving parts of machinery, engine exhaust, or irritant fumes that requires protective clothing and gear and special safety precautions. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.