This position is on a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Staff, located in a NRCS State Office, and is supervised by the Assistant State Conservationist-Programs. The incumbent serves as the Easement Coordinator in a state for all conservation easement programs.

Duties

Conducts investigations and studies to ensure program alternatives are thoroughly assessed in respective to conservation planning requirements. Serves as an agency representative for assigned program activities in the state and assists in ensuring the agency is in compliance with the related polices, procedures, laws and regulations. Analyze problems associated with program delivery and recommend alternative solutions to the program manager and state leadership. Conduct outreach activities for easement program opportunities. Provide leadership and tracking of easement program applications, eligibility, deeds, monitoring, compatible use agreements, appraisals, obligations and fund integrity. Manage contracts for outside services for the completion of Market Analyses and surveys to determine appropriate easement compensation rates. Maintain and update agency manuals, handbooks, amendments, bulletins and other supporting policy related to easement programs. Lead for the implementation of the Easement Programs tracking tool, including migration of older easements and management of future easements in accordance with National Office instructions.

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. 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 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 for the GS-11 and/or GS-12 level: 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. The specialized experience is defined as 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 Education: Three full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas. 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: 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. The specialized experience is defined as providing technical 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; and gathering natural resources data and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation programs and policy. 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/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/ 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: Jason Bell
• Email: [email protected]