This position is located on the State Program Staff located in an NRCS State Office. The incumbent provides program assistance as an economist for Farm Bill Programs. Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). FPAC is USDA's focal point for the nation's farmers, ranchers, and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands.

Duties

Provides staff leadership for the economic phases of natural resource planning activities through the analysis of data. This includes conducting presentations of material relating to economics and overall natural resources planning. Participates in the formulation, analysis and implementation of group resource conservation plans. This includes preparing or assisting with plans, reports, and supporting documents which deal with economics. Estimates benefits of planned works of improvement. This involves working closely with the project coordinator to convert structural costs to average annual costs and to determine average annual costs of operation and maintenance. Participates in planning and environmental evaluation and is responsible for the development of economic and social impacts for various natural resource projects and conservation programs.

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.
• 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; requires operating a motor vehicle on public/private roads during the day and sometimes after dark.

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. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus; OR Combination of Education and Experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A 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 (GS-11): To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: gathering, information concerning mathematical, statistical, or other relevant factors in support of organizational planning activities; assisting in conducting economic research; participating in strategic planning activities, including assisting with program objectives, goals, measures and financial evaluation of costs or estimates; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree; OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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 GS-12: 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 but are not limited to the following: gathering, analyzing, and evaluating information concerning critical mathematical, statistical, or other relevant factors in support of organizational planning activities; applying economic research methodologies and quantitative analysis techniques to conduct economic research, analysis and outlook relevant to agriculture, natural resources and/or rural development; participating in strategic planning activities, including assisting in defining program objectives, goals, measures and financial evaluation of costs or estimates. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov) 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: Diane Desipio
• Phone: (484) 786-7305
• Email: [email protected]