The incumbent of this position serves as a Natural Resources Specialist on the NRCS Conservation Programs Policy Branch, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The incumbent is responsible for providing direction for conservation planning policy that supports the delivery of a wide range of natural resource management programs and initiatives. This position will be filled at one of the 9 NRCS hub locations listed in the announcement.

Duties

Advise field staff and / or others on the conservation planning process Propose recommendations based on analysis results and knowledge of conservation programs. Provide technical guidance and support for natural resource or conservation planning policy. Apply natural resource conservation management concepts in order to advise others on conservation planning. Provide recommendations on existing rules, regulations, procedures, and/or techniques to resolve operational issues.

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 instruction 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: (e.g. one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level or one year at the GS-13 grade level for consideration for the GS-14 grade level). Basic Education Requirements: 0401 Series Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR A 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: Specialized Experience: GS-13- To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Provide technical leadership related to operation and/or management of natural resources management programs or initiatives; Provide technical guidance to personnel regarding Natural Resource issues; Implement policy and ensuring compliance with natural resource requirements; and Provide input for recommendations on issues, administrative matters, and program technology development. GS-14: To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-13 level or higher in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Analyze issues pertaining natural resources; Interpret policy and regulatory requirements in terms of restoring and sustaining conservation objectives; Provide compliance recommendations for improvements in order to meet program objectives; and Provide guidance on program function covering a broad range of agricultural concepts. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC FOR WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. 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

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: Shannon Brown
• Phone: 1 217-361-046
• Email: [email protected]