This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), in a Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) State Office. The primary purpose of the position is to provide the full range of geological services to the assigned geographic area.

Duties

Conducting sedimentation surveys, geomorphology for support of stream restoration, landslide hazard assessment, soils evaluation, ground and surface water interflow studies, and other conservation work. Applying geologic evaluation for a variety of practices related to specific systems applied such as but not limited to steam crossings, water well decommissioning, dam and spring development and agricultural waste storage facility construction. Preparing written reports to include the interpretations of surface and subsurface conditions and conclusions concerning the suitability of all earth materials and ground water conditions. Developing and presenting findings, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from geological investigations. Developing and/or collecting geological information characterizing groundwater and geologic conditions in the field that impacts the design and construction of engineering practices. Operating and maintaining a geotechnical drill rig to complete soil classification and foundational analysis.

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.
• 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 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) requirements 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-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography; Combination of education and experience: Course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GS-11 Grade Level: In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 or higher in the Federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes: Assisting in preparing basic geologic analysis services; Assisting in basic application of geologic evaluation; Providing assistance with sedimentation studies; Conducting geologic investigations; Assisting in basic plans and modifying investigations based on knowledge of geologic field. OR Education PHD or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary to do the work of the position such as Geology. OR Combination of education and experience A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours beyond the second year by 18 and add the two percentages. GS-12 Grade level: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 or higher in the Federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes: Preparing basic geologic analysis services; Performing basic application of geologic evaluation; Conducting sedimentation studies; Conducting geologic investigations; Preparing basic plans and modifying investigations based on knowledge of geologic field. There is no substitution of education for the GS-12 level. To view the position's Qualification Requirements of the associated occupational series as outlined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, General Schedule Qualifications Standards. See the link below: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=0400-ndx 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: Amy Scott
• Phone: 904-299-3120
• Email: [email protected]