Soil Conservationist

Summary

This position is located in a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office across Montana. The primary purpose of this position is to develop natural resource conservation plans, identify local resource concerns, and coordinate conservation planning implementation efforts across the working unit with cooperation and coordination from SWDCs, partner agencies and other organizations.

• Provides technical advice on natural resources issues requiring development of natural resource management strategies and resolves conflicts related to NRCS natural resources conservation programs.
• Serves as technical liaison to partners to answer questions and provide guidance concerning NRCS conservation programs and other natural resources and conservation activities.
• Assists with program awareness and contract management within the managerial unit, including determining what conservation programs are available.
• Resolves natural resource issues within the managerial unit through development of conservation plans with landowners.
• Coordinates with Soil and Water Conservation Districts programs/activities and NRCS programs with the programs of other agencies and groups.
• Develops natural resources conservation program activities in cooperation with the SWCDs, partner agencies and other organizations.
• Promote and assist in the development and implementation of long-range district plans and annual plans of work

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected, you may be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are unable to reimburse for any fees incurred.
• Probationary and Trial Period – Successful completion of a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period unless previous federal service is creditable. Refer to Next Steps for more information.
• Direct Deposit:
  Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.

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: Successful completion of a 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.

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

Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-11 grade level:

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 Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. The experience requires the 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 include:

• Providing technical guidance and assistance to groups and individuals on topics such as soil interpretations, erosion control measures, pest and invasive species control, water quality improvements, livestock management, wildlife habitat, and forest management.
• Preparing conservation or resource management plans and providing financial or implementation assistance.
• Communicating and sharing general information and explaining issues related to natural resource conservation, problems, and solutions to landowners, residents, and land managers. OR

Education at the GS-11 grade level: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource…