As a Natural Resource Specialist/Soil Conservationist, this position provides assistance to farmers, ranchers, and other landowners in the development, planning, contracting and application of land conservation practices and programs consistent with NRCS policy and procedures. Promote and implement Farm Bill Conservation Programs to help protect our Nation's natural resources.

Duties

Partners with other conservation entities to provide long-term commitment to the local, state and federal government conservation delivery system to help private landowners, communities and others conserve natural resources within the state. Develops and maintains effective liaison with program officials, organizations, government agencies, and others interested in USDA programs. Participates in the training of NRCS personnel through meetings, training conferences, and on-the-job training and prepares training material, instructional and information material on program and conservation compliance. Works with appropriate NRCS team members and program leaders and recommend actions to correct deficiencies and makes suggested improvements in Agency policies, practices, and procedures based on lessons learned from appeals. Works with farmers and other landowners to develop conventional conservation plans addressing resource concerns. Provides information concerning Farm Bill and State Conservation Programs. Provides assistance in administrative, fiscal, and technical responsibilities for a wide variety of Farm Bill and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Works with the District Conservationist to conduct environmental education and natural resource issues, water quality, and general conservation at workshops, seminars, and fairs. Provides technical and administrative guidance in the development of annual work plans, scheduling activities, maintaining records, and maintaining efficient program operations related to traditional and urban conservation to field office staff. Arranges and conducts meetings and conferences with landowners, units of government and other interested persons and groups for the purpose of exploring soil and water conservation in urban areas.

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). BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 0401: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in 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 in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related discipline that includes at least 24 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines shown above, plus appropriate experience or education comparable to a 4 year degree. Basic Education Requirement For 0457: 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 above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education comparable to a 4 year degree. 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. 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 the GS-09 level: To qualify for the GS-9 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service demonstrating experience and knowledge of the application of the principles, concepts and methodology associated with natural resources. For this position specialized experience is defined coordinating and conducting plant science studies and activities to support the implementation and planning of natural resource conservation efforts including water quality, erosion control, forage productions, and wildlife habitat improvement; experience with seed and plant production methods; and providing technical guidance and assistance on the use of plants and vegetative technology to customers. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: Possess 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate educationleading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering; 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. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-11 level: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. This experience must include knowledge of the principles and theories of soil and water conservation and related sciences such as biology, agronomy, and forestry, in identifying conservation related problems. For this position, examples of specialized experience as utilizing rural and urban resources planning principles, guidelines, and policies to provide leadership and assistance to state level specialists; applying laws, regulations, organizations, and policies affecting natural resources to provide guidance to customers, partners, as well as state, regional, and national level specialists; conducting field office operation procedures to assist the field staff management, operations, monitoring, and training necessary to achieve the conservation goals. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: For the GS-11 level: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering; 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF 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: Bruce Anderson
• Phone: 816-823-1538
• Email: [email protected]