Conservation Agronomist

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management. OR Combination of Education and Experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown in A 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: 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 Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience must include: Determining conservation needs on cropland, pastureland, and related lands; Planning multiple-use and sustained yield agronomic programs for a multi-disciplinary conservation approach; Assisting soil scientists in the correlation of soil-vegetative interpretations; Assisting in the development of agronomic techniques and standards to improve soil structure and fertility; Developing plans for field trials on soil management and crop production; AND Providing information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which to best use land. Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience above in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualifications requirement using experience alone–no substitution of education for experience is permitted. 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-PROF 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 with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The incumbent conducts training to field staff in areas of conservation planning, agronomic benefits, water quality, pest, residue and pasture management, tillage, soil quality, erosion prediction and treatment.