The incumbent provides engineering assistance working with landowners, groups, and units of government to apply and maintain a variety of conservation practices in their area of assigned responsibility.

Duties

Prepares drawings using computer aided design and manual methods, design computations and estimates for quantities and costs. Inspects work under construction and maintains construction inspection records according to current service policy. Prepares as-built plans, certifying completed work to the next level technician or Engineer. Completes payment requests and referrals pertaining to work completed for cost sharing. Makes site evaluations to assess the need for engineering measures, recommending a preliminary selection of appropriate measure alternatives. Maintains construction inspection records according to current policy Works with landowners to determine suitable alternatives in solving the resource problem and obtains management information necessary for designing treatment practices. Determines the type, scope, and intensity of field investigations and surveys needed, collecting field data and assures adequacy of collected data. Designs engineering practices and structures involved in a variety of programs, assembling complete packages of drawings and specifications for jobs.

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

To qualify for the GS-8 Grade Level: applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the Federal GS-07 grade level or higher, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as performing which involves a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing material testing. Determining investigations. Determining survey and site data needs. Designing engineering practices and structures. Compiling, computing, plotting and checking data for natural resource-related conservation projects (earthen dams, agriculture waste management systems, filter strips, water and sediment control basins, rock riprap, slope protection, etc.). Using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and manual techniques to prepare sketches, drawings, diagrams and charts for several phases of projects such as excavation, embankment, structures, triangulation, profiles and traverses, etc. Assisting field engineering staff in staking out work. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Two full years of graduate education in a discipline such as engineering, construction, or industrial technology. 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. To qualify for the GS-9 Grade Level: applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the Federal GS-08 grade level or higher, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as performing which involves a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. Examples of specialized experience include: Developing engineering drawings and developing cost estimates. Resolving discrepancies and deviations in project drawings. Using civil engineering technology services to evaluate soil and water conservation. problems on farms or in broader watershed size areas. Installing conservation measures and structures that curb excessive soil erosion, improve, or protect water quality, reduce surface runoff, prevent floodwater damages, and improve water management on public and private lands. Working with landowners to determine suitable alternatives to solve natural resource problems that address agricultural waste management, deteriorated water quality, erosion, flooding, the need for land drainage, recreation potential, the need for fish and wildlife habitat improvement and inadequate urban storm water management and erosion and sediment control. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Two full years of graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline such as engineering, construction, or industrial technology. 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-TECH-NOTE 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 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 syllabus 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. If you have not yet conferred your degree or certificate but will within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement, a letter from the school documenting current standing, degree being obtained and expected graduation date must be submitted with your application. 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. Official transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. 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: Molly Throop
• Email: [email protected]