Interdisciplinary Soil Conservationist​/Natural Resources Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) The NRCS agency is responsible for technical assistance to landowners and operators for implementation of soil and water conservation practices to watershed districts and sponsors for Operation and Maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and design of flood control measures.

• Provides technical and administrative guidance in the development of annual work plans, scheduling activities, maintaining records, preparing reports of plans/contracting, accomplishments, and maintaining efficient program operations.
• Independently provides leadership with conservation planning of natural resources and other activities in cooperation with the Conservation District, tribes, and conservation partners to address resource concerns on private lands.
• Arranges and conducts meeting and conferences with landowners with a special emphasis on historically underserved urban farmers, units of government and other interested persons and groups.
• Executes oversight, management and administration for all farm bill programs in accordance with the Conservation Program Manual
• Works in collaboration with landowners to provide detailed conservation systems and practice implementation including conservation practice design, layout, construction, inspection and certification.
• Management, operation and maintenance of the planned conservation systems and practices according to the Field Office Technical Guide standards and specifications as well as complying with all federal, state and local regulations.
• Partners with other conservation entities to provide long-term commitment to the local, state and federal government conservation delivery system to help private landowners, communities and others conserve natural resources within the state.
• District Conservationist, managing agricultural resources and developing and implementing soil and water conservation plans for all outreach grants. Provides guidance and assistance to landowners , carrying out their chosen conservation practices.

• 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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New NRCS supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
• 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.
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain a Conservation Planning Certification in accordance with the guidelines in General Manual 180 Part 409.3.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, general restrictions on movement after competitive appointment, and specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level and one year at the GS-09 for consideration for the GS-11).
BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 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…