This position is located at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rhode Island State Office. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a staff support specialist providing program support and performance assignments, projects or studies related to the Rhode Island NRCS' operations, resource management and acquisition programs.

Duties

Serves as a team member processing shared workload under the Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations. Analyzes, operates, and implements new methods for coordinating the administrative work of a complex organization requiring complicated administrative controls to accomplish the work of the organization. Implements procedures designed to improve administrative effectiveness, automating and streamlining procedures wherever possible to serve the best interests of the organization. Interprets established and pertinent regulations and organizational policies, management principles, administrative rules, and staffing guidelines and stays up-to-date with changes and new requirements affecting the work of the organization. Monitors resource allocations and recommends based on funding.

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.
• 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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.

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. For the GS-9 level: Specialized Experience: One full time year (12 months) of specialized experience, equivalent to GS-7 level in the Federal Service or comparable experience not gained through Federal Service, that includes performing the following duties: Serve as a staff support specialist providing program support and performing assignments, projects or studies related to the programs and activities surrounding the NRCS programs. Develops and maintains computer spreadsheets, databases, and other software to monitor NRCS operations. Retrieves data and develops standard reports using automated systems.Reviews reports and ensures accuracy of data. Maintains excellent communication standards to ensure the effective delivery of programs. For the GS-11 level: Specialized Experience: You must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Knowledge of an extensive body of rules, procedures, concepts, principles and practices, applied to program management assignments, and Knowledge of the organization and functions of the programs supported to elicit cooperation and acceptance of recommendations and interpretations; and deal effectively with NRCS leadership and support staff. Knowledge of the regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the management and administration of Financial Resources and NRCS programs, in order to perform routine assignments that aid and support NRCS Headquarters. Knowledge and skill to gather and review information in order to accomplish work activities and assignments; identify and analyze routine program problems or situations to resolve a variety of problems and issues involving NRCS programs. OR Education Substitution: Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's, or equivalent graduate degree (LLB, JD, LLM, Ph.D., 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 or industrial management, psychology, labor relations, education; 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 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: Tamika DeJesus
• Email: [email protected]