Soil Conservationist (District Conservationist)

This position is located in the Kenton, Ohio area field office, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this position is to develop and implement a comprehensive natural resource conservation program throughout the geographic area of responsibility by providing technical guidance, assistance, and evaluation on matters related Farm Bill Programs and Conservation Program contracting and implementation.

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 To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. This experience requires knowledge of the principles and theories of soil and water conservation and related sciences such as biology, agronomy, and forestry, in identifying conservation related problems.

Examples of specialized experience include:

(1) Preparing complex conservation or resource management plans and providing financial or implementation assistance; (2) Implementing conservation programs, funding eligibility, funding procedures and contract management according to issued guidance, policies and procedures; (3) Implementing and/or managing natural resources programs and practices which involve exercising initiative and resourcefulness

Note:

There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-12 level. 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.