The incumbent provides engineering assistance working with landowners, groups, and units of government to apply and maintain a variety of conservation practices in their area of assigned responsibility.

Duties

Assists with the designs, engineering practices and structures involved in a variety of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Performs design computations and prepares estimates for quantities and costs. Assists with the documentation of the type, scope, and intensity of field investigations and survey needs. Provides training in surveying and engineering equipment usage. Makes site evaluations to assess the need for complex engineering measures. Works with landowners to determine suitable alternatives in solving resource problems. Makes site evaluations to assess the need for complex engineering measures.

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.
• 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 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 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-6 grade level for consideration for the GS-7 grade level, one year at the GS-7 grade level for consideration for the GS-8 grade level, and one year at the GS-8 grade level for consideration for the GS-9 grade level.) Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-08 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. This experience has equipped them with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as performing routine assignments of substantial variety and complexity with minimal supervision. Examples of specialized experience include: performing material testing; determining investigation, survey and site data needs to include working with landowners to determine suitable alternatives to solve natural resource problems; designing engineering practices and structures; compiling, computing, plotting and checking a wide variety of data for natural resource-related conservation projects (earthen dams, agriculture waste management systems, filter strips, water and sediment control basins, rock rip-rap , slope protection, etc.); using CADD and manual techniques prepare sketches, drawings, diagrams and charts for several phases of projects such as excavation, embankment, structures, triangulation, profiles and traverses, etc; and assisting field engineering staff in staking out work. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-8 level: two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or a master's degree in a discipline such as in engineering, construction, or industrial technology. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of 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. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-09 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level in the Federal service. This experience has equipped them with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as providing technical assistance, working with landowners, groups, and units of government to apply and maintain a variety of conservation practices. Examples of specialized experience include designing engineering practices, preparing engineering drawings, computing quantities, inspecting applied projects, and preparing cost estimates and provides technical assistance on initial planning, design and construction inspection. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-9 level: two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or a master's degree in an engineering, ore related field. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECH 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: Molly Throop
• Email: [email protected]