These positions are located with the State Conservationist's office in select areas of the State of Idaho. You will assist the District Conservationist in developing and carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program by providing technical assistance to various agencies, landowners, and public. Locations will be determined by the Hiring Manager at time of selection.

Duties

Works with farmers and other landowners to develop conventional conservation plans addressing resource concerns. Provides information concerning Farm Bill and State Conservation Programs and develops conservation contracts according to the NRCS Conservation Program Contracting Manual. Understands/applies applicable NRCS and Farm Bill programs available to address resources concerns and explains cost-share programs and payment procedures to applicants and contract holders. Conducts regular follow-up on all scheduled practices assigned; develops operation and maintenance agreements for all structural practices planned and contracted. Performs annual contract reviews on all assigned contracts to ensure contract schedules are followed and that practices are being maintained according to NRCS standards and specifications. Recommends practices to farmers and ranchers which help control erosion and conserve soil and water. Considers grazing resources, permanent vegetation, and irrigation efficiency to maintain soil and conserve water. Utilizes computer, web-based programs and technology tools in the documentation and management of conservation plans and technical assistance by the service center.

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.
• The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain Conservation Planning Certification in accordance with the guidelines in General Manual 180 Part 409.3.

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-07 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level, AND one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). Basic Requirements: Degree: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree in 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. (You must submit transcripts.) or Combination of education and experience: You must have 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. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. (You must submit transcripts.) In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. This experience must include an understanding of principles and theories of soil and water conservation and related sciences (such as biology, agronomy, and forestry) is necessary for identifying conservation-related problems. Examples of specialized experience include: Utilizing established and effective soil and water conservation methods to maintain or improve overall production levels; Developing natural resource conservation plans that involve a variety of soil patterns and conservation practices (e.g., contours, terraces, tilling, diversions, etc.); Conducting natural resources inventory by collecting physical data on various land uses, such as crop history, soil erosion data, drainage characteristics, and more; and Determining suitable conservation practices for land treatment measures based on location factors like urban, rural, or wetland environments. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: You must possess at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. (You must submit transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: You must possess 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. (You must submit transcripts.) To qualify for the GS-11 grade 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 understanding principles and theories of soil and water conservation and related sciences (such as biology, agronomy, and forestry) is necessary for identifying conservation-related problems. Examples of specialized experience include: Providing technical guidance and support to groups and individuals on soil and water conservation methods, measures, and techniques; Developing conservation plans for landowners, conservation groups, and local governments while taking into account various soil patterns and conservation practices; Providing financial and implementation assistance to applicants and contract holders, including addressing their concerns and explaining program and payment procedures; and Clearly communicating general information and explanations about natural resource conservation, problems, and solutions to landowners, residents, and land managers. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: You must possess at least 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. (You must submit transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: You must possess 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. (You must submit transcripts.) 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]