This position is located in the Waycross Area Office in Georgia. The incumbent provides leadership in developing and implementing a comprehensive soil, water, and resource conservation program and provides guidance on policies, procedures and implementation strategies. The incumbent provides technical assistance within a technical management unit(s) (TMUs) on wetland compliance. This is an interdisciplinary position that may filled as a Biologist-0401 or a Soil Conservationist-0457.

Duties

Provides training of the wetland conservation provisions of Food Service Act (FSA)/Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act (FACTA), food Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act (FAIRA), through training conferences, and on-the-job training. Provides information to farmers, ranchers, and the general public on NRCS’s activities relating to FSA/FACTA, FAIR. Develops and implements customer-friendly solutions to assist USDA producers in maintaining compliance with conservation provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill, as amended. Implements policies provided by the conservation provisions of the current Farm Bill. Conducts on and offsite analysis of potential wetland sites and prepares preliminary technical determinations for designated conservation. Reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations for improving the wetland compliance process for certified wetland determinations, mitigation, and minimal effects.

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 and specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: To qualify for the Soil Conservationist GS-457: A degree in soil conservation or a 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 in A above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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. Degree: To qualify for the Natural Resources GS-401: A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of 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. 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-09 level, you must possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of this experience may include working independently issuing highly erodible land determinations; Completing wetland determinations with the respective level of JAA to complete the task independently; and Conducting field determinations, including the digging of observation pits, the describing of soils, the collection of vegetation data and the assessment of hydrology indicators.; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience 401 for the GS-09 level: two year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent master's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience 457 for the GS-09 level: two year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent master's degree in soil conservation or a 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. 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: 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. Specialized experience is defined as providing technical assistance to landowners and field staff in the planning and implementation of practices dealing with wetlands, invasive species, endangered and threatened species, wildlife, and other resource management activities. Examples of this experience may include: Providing leadership and technical expertise in biological aspects of NRCS technical assistance including wetlands, landowners and partners; Planning and coordinating biological activities and other practical applications throughout the state; Ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and other agency policy.; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: three year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for 457 for the GS-11 level: three year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in soil conservation or a 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. 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. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Soil Conservation Series 0457 (opm.gov) and General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 (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: Deaundria Banks
• Email: [email protected]