The incumbent serves as the Easement Program Specialist and works under the supervision of the Easement Program Manager. The incumbent assists in providing statewide guidance and implementation of directives in accordance with easement applications, restoration, acquisition, and authorized management. This position is in a Field Office within the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides easement program assistance to Field Offices and Producers.

Duties

Assists in providing technical expertise, program management, training and quality control for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Provides assistance to the State Easement Programs Manager which includes financial management, fund accountability, oversight, quality assurance and monitoring of program effectiveness. Develops and promotes the use of wetland and wildlife related practice standards, job sheets, technical notes, vegetation and wildlife guides, handbook supplements, specifications and other technical written material for program development Reviews program applications to determine Land and landowner eligibility for the respective program. Incumbent ensures complete and accurate data entry in the National Easement Staging Tool (NEST) and maintains official easement case files. Works within a team concept to develop and implement ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the products and/or services provided to internal and external customers. Assists clients in the development of program applications, using the conservation plan as the basis, including determining items to be cost-shared, computing the amounts and extent of cost-share. Provides guidance on programmatic and regulatory compliance with agency policy and current Federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

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-7 grade level for consideration for the GS-9 grade level and one year at the GS-9 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 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 in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Note: For a degree in a related discipline to be acceptable for consideration, it must include 24 semester hours in subject areas described above. 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-9: To qualify for the GS-9 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include experience that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Providing technical guidance, assistance, and evaluation to easement management plans.; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: Two year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree in 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. 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. This experience must include experience that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Providing guidance, assistance, and evaluation to easement management plans and appeals; Preparing legal and programmatic analysis for appeal request in support of a financial assistance program or easement program. 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. or Ph.D. equivalent doctoral degree in 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. 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

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

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Mark Masanque
• Phone: 5555555555
• Email: [email protected]