This position is located in the State Conservationist's office, assigned to a field office or area office in the assigned state, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The position serves as Resource Conservationist to the assigned Area, providing technical expertise to the field and area staff in conservation planning and application, quality assurance, contracting, performance reporting, and geographic information system (i.e., ArcGIS), etc.

Duties

Provides guidance to assigned technical staff, Field Offices, Area Offices, and the Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations (ASTC-FO) in the assessment, planning, development, and application of conservation plans. Provides support to field office staff in implementing National and State Conservation planning policies, procedures, and requirements of the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). Provides direction in the completion of program contracts, including review for accuracy. Analyzes the quality of development and application of conservation plans within the area assigned. Reviews area office and/or field office staffs work for accuracy, completeness, appropriateness, and timeliness on an as-needed basis, provides informal OJT training while they are providing production assistance to the Field Office staff. Assist Area Office and Field Office staff with ROOT audits, OAR reviews, property inventory reviews, disability compliance reviews, etc. Develops innovative techniques and recommends technical and administrative changes where needed to improve program quality and efficiency. Provides technical expertise regarding Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the effective use of agency approved electronic business tools for planning, customer service, and conservation assistance progress reporting purposes.

Requirements

• This position requires the incumbent to obtain a Conservation Planning Level II Certification in accordance with the guidelines in General Manual 180 Part 409.3.
• 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 ). You must include an SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one) that supports meeting this requirement with your application package. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. The study must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science; OR Combination of Education and Experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education comparable to a 4 year degree. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science. 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 the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. This experience must include knowledge of the principles and theories of soil and water conservation and related sciences such as biology, agronomy, and forestry, in identifying conservation related problems. Examples of specialized experience include: Providing technical guidance and assistance in the inventory and evaluation, design and certification phases of complex ecological science conservation practices; Providing recommendations and solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of agency conservation activities; Providing guidance and oversight to others on conservation planning and implementation. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF 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 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: Jason Bell
• Phone: 816-823-5274
• Email: [email protected]