Summary The incumbent is a Research Agricultural Economist/Research Agriculturist at the USDA-ARS, Soil & Water Conservationist Research Unit in Pendleton, OR, and is a member of an interdisciplinary team of scientists charged with maintaining and enhancing agricultural productivity in the face of diminished water availability. Responsibilities Employs principles and concepts of economics to determine relationships between the supply and demand of goods and services in the agricultural sector. Analyzes production and consumption at the dryland farming systems. Determines the impact of soil nutrients and production factors, on wheat and grain production systems. Applies the concepts of agricultural and environmental economics, policy analysis, agribusiness, food safety, international trade, rural development, life-cycle analysis, and marketing systems to decision support systems for the grower/producer. Addresses agricultural production challenges in a region experiencing shifts in crop commodity acreages, and highly variable risks to profitability due to uneven precipitation, high temperatures, and varying soil and climatic conditions. 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. Basic Requirements Economist Series, 0110: A. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Agriculturist Series, 0401: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the position. GS-12 Experience: 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 non-federal equivalent: Using complex statistical, economic, and analytical methods to accomplish assignments and the development of economic technologies/models within the production & consumption at the dryland farming systems. Organizing and analyzing large, complex data streams for long-term agricultural research networks; Developing nutrient management and agricultural input usage that reduce economic risks and increase farm profitability, improve soil quality and productivity, enhance carbon storage in soils, reduce the effects of short-term drought; and Identifying problem areas and formulate research strategies in response to stakeholder needs, initiate plans, execute economic research, conduct mathematical modeling, and publish peer reviewed articles. OR Education: 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. Related degrees include, agricultural economics, natural resource economics & agronomy. 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 or non-federal equivalent. Using complex statistical, economic, and analytical methods to accomplish assignments and the development of economic technologies/models within the production & consumption at the dryland farming systems. Organizing and analyzing large, complex data streams for long-term agricultural research networks; Developing nutrient management and agricultural input usage that reduce economic risks and increase farm profitability, improve soil quality and productivity, enhance carbon storage in soils, reduce the effects of short-term drought; Identifying problem areas and formulate research strategies in response to stakeholder needs, initiate plans, execute economic research, conduct mathematical modeling, and publish peer reviewed articles. Developing and applying new approaches, techniques and methods in providing solutions to problems unique to studies GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or non-federal equivalent. Using complex statistical, economic, and analytical methods to accomplish assignments and the development of economic technologies/models within the production & consumption at the dryland farming systems. Organizing and analyzing large, complex data streams for long-term agricultural research networks; Developing nutrient management and agricultural input usage that reduce economic risks and increase farm profitability, improve soil quality and productivity, enhance carbon storage in soils, reduce the effects of short-term drought; Identifying problem areas and formulate research strategies in response to stakeholder needs, initiate plans, execute economic research, conduct mathematical modeling, and publish peer reviewed articles. Developing and applying new approaches, techniques and methods in providing solutions to problems unique to studies being performed; and Applying agricultural disciplines such as agronomy and soil science, conservation practices, bio-based energy production including waste management systems, agricultural engineering, environmental sciences, water management, and/or rural sociology as relates to economic analyses. 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. 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. 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 71 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.