Soil Conservationist

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 Education Requirement: Degree: 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. or Combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown in A above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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. Evaluation of Education: Education that provided specialized knowledge and skills in soil and water conservation is more valuable than education that imparted broad but general knowledge and skills. Courses in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil genesis, plant physiology, plant science, and field crops are examples of specialized courses that contribute towards meeting the required 12 semester hours as described above. Courses in the physical sciences or engineering such as geology, civil engineering, and hydrology also meet the soils, crops, or plant science course requirements where such courses included a complete introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Evaluation of Experience: Experience that included the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields is appropriate, given the interdisciplinary character of the soil conservation occupation. For example, experience gained in a specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work. 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 the federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Interpreting and applying conservation program requirements. Performing customer service activities such as responding to conservation program inquiries from landowners or farmers. Completing administrative duties such as filing and tracking conservation contracts and other documents for an office. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: Possess two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree 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: Combination of the above-described education and specialized experience such that they total 100% when combined. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. (Only graduate level education in excess of one year [18 semester hours] may be combined with specialized experience. 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 the federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting land users implementing conservation plans. Reviewing natural resource conservation plans and measures. Interpreting land use potential and deficiencies by evaluating soil properties and characteristics. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a 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: Must have a combination of the above-described education and specialized experience such that they total 100% when combined. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. (Only graduate level education in excess of two years [36 semester hours] may be combined with specialized experience. 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.
This position is assigned to a field office or area office. You will assist the District Conservationist in developing and carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program tailored to customers needs and meeting agency requirements. You will provide technical assistance in the development, application, and maintenance of a coordinated natural resources conservation program.