This position is located in a State Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Serves as the State Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist for NRCS with state-wide responsibility for all GIS activities, including the Natural Resource Inventory (NRI). This position is responsible for managing the GIS program and providing GIS training to NRCS employees in the state.

Duties

Serves as the technical expert on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications and information support needs. Provides recommendations on changes to hardware, software, and accessories to meet NRCS needs. Provides feedback to state and national leadership on GIS policies, standards, and guidelines and recommends acquisition of GIS products and other services. Ensures quality control of data, data standards, databases, data dictionary, applications, and computer models use (e.g. permafrost sensitivity, average temperature, etc.) in compliance with state and NRCS standards and practices. Trains NRCS personnel on application use, software systems (ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Online, ERDAS Imagine, ESRI Field Maps), and data management policies, practices, and procedures. Provides training and support for NRCS GIS-based planning tools such as Conservation Desktop and mobile monitoring tools, and maintains data to support use of these tools in NRCS business. Supports business activities statewide by producing maps, obtaining GIS datasets, conducting quality control on GIS data, and creating and manipulating GIS data to facilitate conservation planning and program development.

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. Basic Requirement for Natural Resource Specialist (Geographic Information Systems Specialist) A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying: Specialized Experience for the GS-11: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Assisting with resolving Geographic Information System (GIS) issues to complete projects and assignments in support of business operations; Administering geospatial databases and/or mobile device technology to ensure its accuracy; AND Assisting in the facilitation of sharing and distribution of data. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. 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 the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience for the GS-12: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Provide technical user support and assistance for GIS software; Train staff on current and evolving Geographic Information Systems /Global Positioning System technology; Assist in the integration of Enterprise GIS with the long and short term planning and management activities; AND Analyze and interpret natural resource information to make recommendations on findings for resource professionals. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) Education Substitution: There is no educational substitution at the GS-12. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. The OPM Qualification Standards for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series

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.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Midwest Services Branch
• Phone: 8164265706
• Email: [email protected]