SOIL CONSERVATIONIST

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), State Conservationist office, Assistant State Conservationist for State Programs. The purpose of this position is to coordinate, direct, evaluate and oversee NRCS programs for the assigned state and for programs of other agencies administered by NRCS. .

Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Basic Requirement:

GS- 0457

:

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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below . S pecialized

Experience Requirement:

For the GS- 13 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as:

developing natural resource guidelines and working with business plans addressing priorities, goals, and objectives; developing, implementing and managing complex natural resource conservation programs dealing with diverse and sometimes opposing audiences, and working as a liaison with individuals, groups and federal, state and local government; overseeing a staff of supervisors and nonsupervisory positions made up of scientific specialists, technical, and support staff of varied series, and grade levels. 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.

Time-in-Grade Requirement:

If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.