Resource Conservationist

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 Education for 0401 Series: Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below. Specialized Experience for the GS-11 Level: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: Communicating with others in order to discuss, explain, and advocate natural resource conservation measures, plans, and objectives; or Interpreting conservation plans that employ conventional and established criteria and techniques to interpret soil, water, and environmental data for sound land use; or Informing landowners and users on the development of resource conservation goals and objectives; or Assisting in planning and coordination of the implementation of a range of technical conservation practices. OR Education: 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 a related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards 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.

Assist the field offices and staff in developing and implementing a comprehensive natural resource conservation program throughout the geographic area of responsibility.

Provides technical assistance and guidance to carry out various types of natural resource conservation programs, ensuring conservation goals are effectively and efficiently achieved.

Works with landowners and operators, individually and in groups, to develop a wide variety of conservation plans according to established policies and procedures and in accordance with landowners' decisions.

Provides technical guidance and information to engineers, conservation districts and regional planning groups to insure the development of highly specialized land resource plans, and to incorporate needed soil and water conservation measures.

Represents the agency at conservation district meetings and serves as an advisor to district committees, and participates in meetings, tours, and demonstration projects to explain resource conservation planning.

Provides program management, training, and quality control for various NRCS Farm Bill Programs.

Assists landowners with the application of planned resource management systems in compliance with agency standards and specifications.