This position provides supervision, guidance and assistance to all field offices and/or designated managerial units in Alaska. This is a time-limited appointment not-to-exceed 3 years with possibility for extension for an additional 2 years upon approval.

Duties

Establishes and maintains contacts and cooperative relations with Federal and state agencies, Tribes, municipal and private organizations. Serves as the Area Lead for conservation programs authorized in the Farm Bill and provides programmatic support to Service personnel, other Federal, Tribal, state, and local governments, as well as local sponsoring organizations. Manages financial and staff resources by preparing long and short-range schedules for staff activities, preparing and monitoring budgets and funding requests, organizing work, and controlling work products. Conducts and directs studies and analyses of work programs to provide recommendations to promote maximum utilization of available resources to increase the quantity and quality of soil and water conservation practices and measures being applied. Provides area leadership and guidance for the planning, development, and operation of programs and activities within areas of responsibility. Determines the need for personnel services and technical assistance and coordinates program needs with state other Assistant State Conservationists (Field Operations), and others including individuals outside NRCS.

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.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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.
• This position is designated for random drug testing under Departmental Regulation DR 4430-7922-2 dated April 2011. This position must complete and pass a Pre-Employment Drug Testing before entrance on duty (EOD).
• This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
• This position requires field work where dangerous wildlife are common. Passing courses in bear safety and firearms handling on an annual basis and the legal ability to carry a firearm, are required for this position.
• Position has a Confidential Financial Disclosure (Form OGE-450) requirement. If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter.
• Certification of compliance with 18 U.S.C. 922 (g) and (n) National Rifle Association Shotgun Safety and handling certification.
• A service agreement is required for authorization of relocation expenses and allowances.
• An employment agreement may be required for a time-limited appointment.
• The incumbent performs duties in a supportive manner of a safe and healthy environment. The incumbent exercises caution and maintains all safety requirements when exposed to dangerous objects, chemicals, and extreme conditions.

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-13 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirement 0457 Series: Degree: soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. The study must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science; OR Combination of Education and Experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown in A above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science. Basic Education Requirement 0401 Series: 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: To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-12 level or higher, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, examples of specialized experience include: Devising and implementing short and long-term soil conservation plans and comprehensive, integrated resource development projects; Implementing conservation programs; Reviewing funding eligibility, funding procedures and contract management according to issued guidance, policies, and procedures; Working with business plans, addressing priorities, goals and objectives; and Serving as a liaison with individuals, groups and federal, state and local governments. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: OPM Standards 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: Diane Desipio
• Phone: (484) 786-7305
• Email: [email protected]