This position is located in the State Office. The State Conservationist is responsible for overseeing the provision of state-wide soil, water, and natural resource conservation stewardship including establishment of state-specific policy, standards, practices and procedures to address and resolve natural resource concerns; manage fiduciary and civil rights requirements as an allowance holder associated with programmatic and administrative programs.

Duties

Responsible for strategic direction and management oversight of program activities related to conservation planning, policy, professional, administrative and technical functions involved in organizing. Implementing comprehensive soil, water and natural resource conservation. Apply engineering technology program for land and other technical conversations programs at the NRCS state level. Reviews and evaluates program status, resources, quality objectives, initiatives and priorities as needed to ensure compliance with USDA/NRCS policies, practices and standards. Prescribes policies, procedures and objectives for subordinates to ensure planning and execution of missions are efficiently and effectively achieved to include development, implementation and coordination of appropriate activities and programs. Provides management and administration of all authorized programs. In particular, serves as the allowance holder for all funds allocated to the State to administer such programs. Directs the planning, resources, and program functional areas of the State. These are structured into teams headed by team leaders. The incumbent exercises supervision of the State staff through the team leaders or Assistant State Conservationists.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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-13 grade level for consideration for the GS-14 grade level; one year at the GS-14 grade level for consideration for the GS-15 grade level). Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: Providing leadership in planning, organizing, implementing, adhering to policy standards and resolving issues related to soil erosion, conservation operation, and water quality; AND Experience reviewing and/or providing direction on policies, budgets, and strategic work plans in order to support long term objectives; AND Experience maintaining partnerships with and articulating USDA programs to private and public entities. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-15 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: Providing direction and leadership in planning, organizing, implementing, adhering to policy standards and resolving issues related to soil erosion, conservation operation, and water quality; AND Experience drafting policies, budgets, and strategic work plans in order to support long term objectives; AND Experience developing partnerships with and articulating USDA programs to private and public entities. Note: There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-14/15 grade level. 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=Group-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: Danielle Adams
• Email: [email protected]