Interdisciplinary Natural Resource Specialist/Soil Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) seeks qualified applicants for an interdisciplinary soil conservation position.

This role focuses on applying soil and water conservation practices and related sciences to assist landowners and local governments through policy implementation, planning, and conservation management programs.

Qualifications

• Education and experience in soil and water conservation or related fields
• Interdisciplinary experience in conservation planning and management systems

Skills

Soil & water conservation

Interdisciplinary knowledge

Education

Soil conservation or related discipline (agronomy, soil science, forestry)

Biological sciences or related degree

Job description

This position is located with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). FPAC's Mission Area is USDA's focal point for the nation's farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners for crop insurance, and disaster programs. NRCS is responsible for technical and financial assistance to landowners and operators for implementation of natural resources conservation practices. USDA employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section.

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. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Basic Education Requirement: For the Natural Resource Specialist (0401) - 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. For the Soil Conservationist (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 1 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.

Evaluation of Education: Education that provided specialized knowledge and skills in soil and water conservation is more valuable than education that imparted broad but general knowledge and skills. Courses in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil genesis, plant physiology, plant science, and field crops are examples of specialized courses that contribute towards meeting the required 12 semester hours as described above. Courses in the physical sciences or engineering such as geology, civil engineering, and hydrology also meet the soils, crops, or plant science course requirements where such courses included a complete introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.

Evaluation of Experience: Experience that included the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields is appropriate, given the interdisciplinary character of the soil conservation occupation. For example, experience gained in a specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work. 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-09 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service. This experience must include knowledge of soil and water conservation, and related sciences, such as biology, agronomy, and forestry, in identifying conservation related problems. Specialized experience is defined as: assisting in carrying out policies and procedures in resource conservation planning, contracting, and conservation management systems implementation; and developing soil, water, and resource conservation plans for landowners, conservation groups, and/or units of local government OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience : 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as listed above. For the GS-11 grade level: You must have one year of s