The primary purpose of the position is to serve as the State Geographic Information System Specialist with responsibility to provide technical leadership, and technology development, transfer, and support in GIS, Global Positioning systems, remote sensing, spatial analysis, elevation program and geospatial database management (both spatial and tubular) to ensure effective deployment and utilization throughout the state. DUTY LOCATION WILL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF IOWA.

Duties

Provide technical leadership in Geographic Information System (GIS) products and services in support of state programs, activities and products which provide technical support throughout the state. Provide technical guidance and assistance on remote sensing technologies throughout the state. Responsible for the state's geodatabase management, which involves managing large data sets as well as providing dependable backups for these data sets. Work with the state Program Section to manage and store conservation easement geodata, update National Headquarters (NHQ) easement data layer quarterly, and confirm location of NEST points. Responsible for coordinating and providing, training to state, area, and field office staffs in the principles of GIS, Conservation Desktop, spatial analysis, relation database analysis, and remote sensing.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution

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 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 and one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites). OR Combination of Education and Experience: courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience: Applicants whose experience in cartography was in the Federal service may have gained this experience by working in an occupational series other than GS-1370. Occupations in which experience may have been gained include Geography, GS-150; Civil Engineering, GS-810; General Physical Science, GS-1301; Geodesy, GS-1372; and Land Surveying, GS-1373. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicant must also meet the following Minimum Qualification Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is defined as: Utilizing geographic information technology to analyze agricultural, soil, biological, ecological, and resource inventory programs issues and trends. OR Education Substitution for GS-11: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree or completed Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in cartography, or directly related science/mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience for GS-11: 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-12, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through the Federal service. This experience must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is defined as: utilizing geographic information technology to analyze agricultural, soil, biological, ecological, and/or resource inventory programs issues/trends; AND developing, analyzing, coordinating Geographic Information System (GIS) and/or Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies and interpretations of soil survey information. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 grade level. For more information on the qualification of this position, click here. 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 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: Vanessa White
• Phone: 202-720-1669
• Email: [email protected]