This position is a State Biologist located in the State office of Arkansas. Responsible for assisting in planning and coordinating biological activities and other planning applications. Dealing with wetlands and appeals, invasive species, endangered species, NEPA, wildlife, and other resource management activities as they relate to the agency's mission, roles, and responsibilities, especially as they relate to Farm Bill activities throughout the state in accordance with laws and regulations.

Duties

Provides direct assistance to landowners and partners in the determination, restoration, enhancement and creation of terrestrial and aquatic habitat and wetlands, especially related to Farm Bill Programs Provides training to NRCS staff and direct technical assistance and policy guidance to field staff relating to the National Environmental Policy Act, Food Security Act, Endangered Species Act and other relevant policies. Provides leadership and coordinates activities in planning and conducting special wildlife, plant, or wetland studies, special investigations, and data gathering necessary for the development and refinement of standards. Provides assistance to State Leadership to develop Farm Bill program ranking criteria. Provide technical support to partners implementing collaborative agreements such as the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Project, and supports NRCS National Working Lands for Wildlife Frameworks and special initiatives Makes field studies, demonstrations, and trials to determine efficiency and effectiveness of projects and practices in meeting overall terrestrial, aquatic, and wetland habitat goals.

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.
• 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 E-Verify at 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: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g., one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level) or (e.g., one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: 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. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience 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 Conservation Certification requests; Performing quality assurance; Assisting producers and field offices on Conservation Compliance activities; AND Service informal appeals of conservation determinations. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 grade level: three year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education (less than 3 years) and experience (less than one year) 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. Specialized Experience GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience must include providing technical oversight of restoration and mitigation plans; Provides area-wide technical guidance to internal and external customers; AND develop written technical guidance concerning various aspects of work on conservation issues. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/ general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/ 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

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). 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. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration.

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. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. 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.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Paula Jones
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]