This position is located in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office within the State of Maine. This is an administrative and technical support position generally under the supervision of the District Conservationist, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations, or other higher graded employee. The position is responsible for processing and maintenance of records related to conservation programs and the day to day business and office process of the NRCS.

Duties

Track Farm Bill contracts and technical service provider projects to include reviewing and assembling documentation and certification required for contracts and payment Process applications and certifications of eligibility; review payment requests and verify payment documents to ensure complete information is provided. Provide administrative support to the District Conservationist, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations, or other higher graded employees. Prepare reports for higher level employees describing problems that are recurring or causing significant delays or costs. Provide resource information to customers, including soil maps, aerial photographs, and other locally important data. Provide a variety of information to landowners and other program participants; guidance on completion of required program application materials; and explanations regarding contract payment processes and paperwork requirements.

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 specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-05 level: To qualify for the GS-05 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Processing, organizing and filing records for business program operations; Responding to questions on office programs policies, procedures and operations to employees and outside parties; Reviewing incoming/outgoing correspondence for format, grammar, and punctuation; Providing telephone and receptionist services (e.g. scheduling meetings and providing other clerical and administrative support) for an organization; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-05 level: 4 years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. 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-06 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Developing financial and transactional reports, and correspondences for conservation, forestry, or agricultural projects; Developing processes and procedures for administrative functions to provide consistency within the office and to outside parties. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-07 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Work in support of conservation, forestry or agriculture that involves providing contract administration support services such as using a variety of electronic tools to input, organize and manipulate data; Communicating program information and verifying participant eligibility; Tracking contract status and following-up with participants to ensure deadlines are met; Reviewing contracts, payments and other technical documents for accuracy and compliance with policy; Working with staff and customers to resolve program issues and problems. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-06 and GS-07 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/#url=GS-CLER 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: Jeffrey Howard
• Phone: 1111111111
• Email: [email protected]