The purpose of the position is to plan, schedule, implement, and execute outreach strategy for the state, including but not limited to new and beginning farmers, organic and transitioning to organic farmers, and all groups that are defined as traditionally underserved. Locations will be Negotiable: Applicants interested in locations not specifically listed on the announcement are encouraged to communicate/negotiate location availability during the interview stage.

Duties

Manage business operations including developing and coordinating local policy guidance. Manage print services including records management. Responsibility of analyzing data to recommend improvements to business operations, policies, and practices. Clearly define messages, target audiences, types and modes of communication techniques. Tailor outreach to meet the needs of producers and how to clearly and concisely communicate. Facilitates an open exchange of ideas. Assists community-based organizations, Resource Conservation and District Councils, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and other groups. Develop concepts and strategies to clearly introduce and explain NRCS programs and policies. Prepare appropriate outreach materials and products, including but not limited to fact sheets, flyers, PowerPoint presentations, exhibits, brochures, video productions, talking points, etc. Foster improved relationships with underserved audiences. Identify and nurture key liaisons within specific communities/ethnicities, Identify and nurture key liaisons within specific communities/ethnicities. Develop, implement, and track a statewide outreach plan. Coordination of project activities to encourage underserved participation in NRCS and USDA programs. Prepare and analyze demographic data.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected, you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. (e.g. one year at the GS-07 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level). Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement to be considered for the GS-09: Specialized Experience: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as basic knowledge of and skill in applying outreach regulations, policies, and procedures to assist in identifying barriers and assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural outreach efforts. And basic knowledge of agriculture, and farm lending, credit, credit risk factors, and lending principles, and financial security programs for minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Two 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree (i.e., LLB, JD, LLM, PhD, etc.), from an accredited college or university with a major in human resources, social or behavioral sciences, or in such fields as business or public administration, political science, government, management, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or other fields related to the position such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock, ranch management, or rural sociology. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement to be considered for the GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) Knowledge of NRCS mission, programs, and functions; 2) Knowledge of analytical methods and the functions, processes, and principles of management in order to conduct studies, gather information and analyze and evaluate work processes for improvement program effectiveness throughout the state. 3) Providing guidance for multiple outreach program services; 4) Developing communication materials for various training programs within the community. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: three (3) year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M., if related in human resources, social or behavioral sciences, or in such fields as business or public administration, political science, government, management, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or other fields related to the position such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock, ranch management, or rural sociology. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp. 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 syllabus 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.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Molly Throop
• Email: [email protected]