This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), State Office. The position serves as Watershed Planner on the Engineer's staff and applies knowledge of agency policy, federal law, technical writing, wetlands, plants, animals, water quality, agriculture, ecosystem services and related policy and laws.

Duties

Works with a team of engineers, economist, and hydrologist to write Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements for NRCS Watershed Projects under agency policy and federal law. Analyzes resource impacts and ecosystem services under the framework of the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Farmland Protection Policy Act, and Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines. Conducts field wetland delineation, vegetation surveys, fish and wildlife habitat assessment, and writes related technical reports. Provides technical expertise in plants, soils, hydrology, field survey, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Writes, implements, and documents all phases of Public Participation Plan for Watershed Plans and related National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes. Ensures compliance of all Watershed Plan documents with law, regulation or policy. Maintains NRCS website for watershed programs, including information on public meetings, scoping comments, status updates, and draft plan comments and responses. Presents at public and Sponsor meetings, as assigned, on technical subjects. Writes and ensures communications are made with local and state agencies as a part of the planning team.

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 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-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: 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, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Writing Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements for infrastructure projects; Analyzing ecological impacts of watershed project alternatives; Devising and implementing public, tribal, and interagency participation within the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act; Conducting specialized natural resource analysis such as wetland delineation, wetland hydrogeomorphic functional analysis, fish and wildlife surveys, vegetative inventories, habitat assessment, and water quality data collection and analysis; Conducting technical reviews, related to watershed planning of soil, water, air, plants, animals, humans and energy; and Writing and editing technical natural resources planning documents. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Professional and Scientific Positions 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

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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: Andrea Crittendon
• Email: [email protected]