Summary This position is located in Southern Region, Region 8. This position serves as a social scientist on a Forest Service unit. The incumbent provides professional expertise and leadership for social science activities conducted in support of natural resource projects and programs. Responsibilities Plans and designs complex social analyses for assigned projects or plans, including a framework for collection and analysis. Performs as a member of interdisciplinary teams to provide expertise to assess socio-economic analysis needs, design methodologies, conduct analyses, and provide recommendations to incorporate measures to address social and economic concerns. Completes analysis processes and documentation in compliance with NEPA, NFMA, and/or other applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 Federal Wage System Qualifications 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. Basic Requirement GS-0101: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. In addition to the basic education requirement, you must meet the specialized experience described below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following: Provide professional expertise and leadership for social science activities; and/or plans and designs complex social analyses for assigned projects and plans; and/or completes analysis processes and documentation in compliance with NEPA or other applicable laws, regulations and policies; and/or Utilize social science expertise to develop strategies to address current forest plan development needs. 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. Education See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level. Additional Information THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP), USDA REEMPLOYMENT PRIORITY LIST (RPL), AND INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES who meet the eligibility requirements for priority consideration. The following link provides information for determining if you meet these criteria: Career Transition Guidelines. VEOA candidates may also apply. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE. Government Housing may be available.