Research Hydrologist/Research Physical Scientist (Postdoctoral Research Associate) Job in Maricopa - 95954159 - ZAX0RGGDML/3W

Job Title:
Research Hydrologist/Research Physical Scientist (Postdoctoral Research Associate)

Department:
Department Of Agriculture

Agency:
Agricultural Research ServiceSub

Agency:
Water Management and Conservation Research

Job Announcement Number:
RA-11-042- L

SALARY RANGE:
$58,715.00 - $76,327.00 /year

OPEN PERIOD:
Thursday, January 20, 2011 to Monday, December 19, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:GS-1301
1315-11

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full-Time  Temporary position not to exceed 1 year with a possible extension up to 3 years

DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy - Maricopa, AZ

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Applications will be accepted from both US Citizens and Non-Citizens as allowed by appropriations and statute.  For more information on citizenship restrictions log onto: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/jobs/VISA/Countries.htm

JOB SUMMARY:

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organization.  ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority effecting American agriculture.  

**ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPENED UNTIL FILLED OR DECEMBER 19, 2011**

A benefits package is not authorized for this appointment.

NOTE:  TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.

Additional Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Maricopa, AZ

The position is a one year project located at the U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center in Maricopa, Arizona. The incumbent will work collaboratively with project scientists to create HyspIRI-like remote sensing data using existing satellite and airborne data sets. HyspIRI is a proposed NASA satellite imaging package consisting of a hyperspectral imager for visible to shortwave infrared bands, and a multispectral imager for thermal infrared bands. Duties include research and technical tasks needed to acquire, process, and report on modeling results from synthesizing data remote sensing data collected over New Mexico and Oklahoma. Research will focus on demonstrating the benefits of frequent, high-resolution hyperspectral and multispectral imagery for monitoring land cover changes and assessing surface energy fluxes for evapotranspiration studies.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

This position requires a Ph.D within the last 4 years in Hydrology, Meteorology or a closely related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

The person selected should have knowledge of land surface hydrology, land surface vegetation and multispectral remote sensing. Knowledge of advanced mathematics, including statistical techniques for model analysis, and familiarity with geographic information systems are desirable. Programming skills in C, Fortran, or higher-level languages such as IDL or Matlab are desirable.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

This position has a positive education requirement.  You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position.  If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.  If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.  Application materials will not be returned.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.  Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s22-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

BENEFITS:

A Benefits Package is not authorized for this position.  Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at http://www.usajobs.gov/ei/benefits.asp#icc.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Relocation and Other Incentives:

Payment of relocation expenses and other incentives will be determined in accordance with P&P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 and 7, as amended by Bulletins 03-402 and 05-412.5, which may be found at http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/Bulletins/05-412-5.pdf.  See also http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

Veteran's Preference:
For further details, call the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 703-724-1850 or TDD 978-461-8404.  Select General Information on the Federal Employment Policies and Procedures, and then Veteran's Preference and Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans.  Visit their VetGuide website at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.

False Statements:  If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

Optional Form 306, (Declaration for Federal Employment):
If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete this form before an offer may be made.

Selective Service System:
Males over age 18 who were born after December 31, 1959, must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for Federal employment.

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information:
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD). 

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number, but they must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date.

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate located on the following website below.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/AppCheckSYLink/APPLICATIONPACKAGECHECKLIST-SY.pdf

Location Contact Information:  Karen Fries (520) 316-6309

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Dr. Andrew N. French
Phone: (520) 316-6371
Fax: (520) 316-6330
Email: andrew.french@ars.usda.gov Agency Information:
Department Of Agriculture
U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center/Announcement Number: RA-11-042-L
21881 North Cardon Lane
Maricopa, AZ 85238
U.S.
Fax: (520) 316-6330

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:Applications will be received and reviewed for consideration until a selection has been made.