Interdisciplinary Natural Resources Specialist/Soil Conservationist (Resource 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-9 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level and one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: 0401 Basic Education Requirement: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 0457 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: Specialized Experience GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 level, 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: Utilizing technical tools, systems, and databases (Customer Service Toolkit, Conservation Desktop, Protracts, GIS/ArcGIS, etc.) in support of conservation activities. Providing technical support and training to others on the use of electronic business tools related to conservation planning or implementation. Serves as staff specialist on conservation planning issues, including support and management of conservation planning certification that result from the implementation of NRCS programs and activities in the state. Inspects and evaluates resource conservation planning and practice application performed by field personnel and provides technical guidance to soil conservationists and others engaged in resource conservation planning. Works within a team to develop and implement ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the products and/or services provided to internal and external customers. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience (0401) 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 (0401) biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position or (0457) 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). Specialized Experience GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Providing leadership, technology development, technology transfer, and technical assistance for use of NRCS business tools in the state. Providing technical support for use of Conservation Desktop (CD) and Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART) within the state. Analyzes training needs and develops training programs specific to conservation planning; provides guidance and training to area and field headquartered staff, district conservationists and technical service providers. Conducts Quality Assurance Reviews for NRCS activities, including reviews for the adequacy of conservation planning, compliance with NRCS policy, and compliance with NRCS program requirements. Develops training as needed and requested. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. 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 experience, including volunteer experience.
This position is on the Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations staff, assigned to a field or area office in the assigned state, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise to the field and area staff in conservation planning and application, quality assurance, farm bill programs, and contracting, performance reporting, and geographic information system.