Soil Conservationist (State Program Specialist)

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? AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Please note that this job opportunity announcement is only open to current Career/Career-Conditional employees of the USDA. If you do not possess this status, you will not receive consideration. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. (Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No Award or General Adjustment SF-50’s will be accepted). One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: Bachelor’s or higher degree in 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. (You must submit transcripts) 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. (You must submit transcripts) In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: GS-11 Level: Specialized Experience: Must have successfully completed at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level of the Federal Service performing the following:(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) Working with landowners to develop, maintain and implement conservation plans; Assisting in the design, development and maintenance of administrative procedures to assure the delivery of programs and services are carried out; and Assisting in the formulation of resource assessments and evaluations to provide landowners with alternatives to make the decision to address resource concerns. OR Education: Have successfully completed three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or possess Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline. (Must submit transcripts) OR Combination: Have a combination of work experience and education as described above which when combined equals at least 100%. (Determine your qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience listed in above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of two years (i.e., 36 semester hours) may be combined with experience under this standard. (Must submit transcripts) GS-12 Level: Specialized Experience: Must have successfully completed at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level of the Federal Service performing the following:(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) Preparing complex conservation or resource management plans and providing financial or implementation assistance; Clearly explaining and implementing conservation programs, funding eligibility, funding procedures and contract management according to issued guidance, policies and procedures; Implementing and/or managing natural resources programs and practices which involve exercising initiative and resourcefulness. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. The OPM Qualification Standards for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
This position is located in a state, area, field or district office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and serves on the state Programs Staff. Serves as state program coordinator for the implementation of Farm Bill Programs and assists in any other conservation program related duties as directed.