The position is located on the Resource Conservation Staff, headquartered in a state office (SO) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). You will be responsible for providing professional direction and assistance on biology phases of soil and water conservation activities within a comprehensive resource management program at the state level.

Duties

Provides technical guidance, interpretations and recommendations to field offices for the planning and application of biological/environmental improvements in wildlife management systems which provide suitable habitat for wildlife. Gathers, analyzes and distributes technical information applicable to biological needs for conservation planning in the state, reviewing and recommending changes in biological science practices and standards to the State Resource Conservationist. Provides input and assistance in the development, improvement and maintenance of technical standards, guides and manuals related to planning and implementing the biological phases of NRCS activities in the state. Assembles and evaluates data for use in establishing economic values of the biological and environmental phases of the state program which are in balance with other scientific and technical phases. Plans and conducts training seminars as well as on-the-job training sessions for field personnel in biological and environmental aspects of the work. Provides assistance to state, area, field office and state leadership in periodic review of conservation needs and accomplishments for biology, wildlife and environmental improvements are met in accordance with the land use needs.

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: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement 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; and one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirements: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must have the specialized experience below: To qualify for the GS-11 level Specialized Experience: 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. This experience must include: Assisting on biology phases of soil and water conservation activities within a comprehensive resource management program. Assisting with the maintenance of the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG), and standards and specifications in coordination with responsible staff. AND Providing assistance with biological and environmental improvement needs. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: You must possess a 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. 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. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) To qualify for the GS-12 level Specialized Experience: 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. This experience must include: Providing professional guidance and direction on biology phases of soil and water conservation activities within a comprehensive resource management program at the state level. Providing leadership for the maintenance of the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG), and standards and specifications in coordination with responsible staff. Independently analyzing biological and environmental improvement needs of the state and making recommendations to strengthen the biology and environmental phases of the program. AND Planning and conducting educational seminars as well as on-the-job training for field personnel in biological and environmental aspects of the work. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) 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 experiences, 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: Sheila Grass
• Phone: 602-280-8895
• Email: [email protected]