This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), NRCS, State Office. The incumbent serves as State Soil Scientist and provides leadership for developing, managing, and directing a comprehensive and integrated technical soil services program for the state, serves as the state liaison with National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) cooperators and is supervised by the State Conservationist.

Duties

Develops plans and strategies to improve the use of available resources while meeting the program's immediate and long-range objectives. Directs the development of map products and data for resource assessments activities, assisting users in integrating soil data sets into environmental models through technology transfer of soils information. Provides leadership and technical guidance and support for the provisions of the Farmland Protection Policy Act. Directs the dissemination of soil survey data to external and internal customers, obtain customer feedback, and incorporate into continuous improvement of the soils program in the state. Serves as the primary state soil contact and works with MLRA region and soil survey office leaders, NCSS cooperators, state agencies, units of government, and others as a member of the MLRA Management Teams within the state. Evaluates priorities, schedules, mapping intensity, data collection, and user needs, and determinations of the kinds of products to he produced within the MLRA to maintain quality soil surveys for all customers.

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.

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-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: Degree: Soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.;OR Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in soil science or a related discipline that included at least 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areas specified 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: TTo qualify for the GS-13 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: Providing guidance and assistance in planning, design, and implementation of a balanced soils information programs; and Leading in the development and implementation of innovative technical soil services; and Assisting in development of soil survey program quality assurance and oversight. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Soil Science Series 0470 (opm.gov) 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 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.

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: Angela Gabbert
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]