Interdisciplinary Soil Conservationist/Natural Resources Specialist

Natural Resources Conservation Service; Ladysmith (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The NRCS in Wisconsin is seeking a District Conservationist or similar role to provide technical and administrative guidance in developing annual work plans, scheduling activities, and maintaining records for farm bill programs.

You will work with landowners, tribes, and conservation partners to design and implement conservation systems that protect soil and water resources on private lands, following Field Office Tech Guide standards.

Job description

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.

Duties

• 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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• 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://www.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.
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain a Conservation Planning Certification in accordance with the guidelines in General Manual 180 Part 409.3.

Qualifications

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 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. 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. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Providing technical guidance and assistance to groups and individuals on a range of topics related to natural resource conservation; Implementing program rules and process changes under established policy guidance; and Utilizing automated systems that aid in conservation program management. OR; For the GS-11 level: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, project management, engineering, geology, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR; Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience as describe in IOR. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM qualifications policy. To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, you must possess 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. For this position, specialized experience includes: Directing and evaluating conservation or government program activities to determine whether they followed required laws, regulations, policies, or procedures; Communicating program rules, funding eligibility, and contract requirements to landowners, partners, or other stakeholders; Formulating and Implementing program policies to process, manage, or administer conservation contracts or agreements; and Collaborating with individuals, partner organizations, or federal, state, or local agencies to share information, resolve issues, or support program delivery, including situations where participants had differing priorities. There is no education substitution for experience at the GS-12 grade level.

Education

College Transcript: If qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with course number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g., special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college to ensure proper evaluation. Your education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited toward qualifications. You may verify accreditation by visiting the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Projects website. We will verify your education accordingly. Foreign Education: You must submit verification that education completed in a foreign institution, was recognized by an accreditation body accepted by the U.S. Department of Education. You must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Your transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcript at the initial phase of the application process. However, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as an CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Locality Pay: The salary for each location may vary depending on geographically defined locality pay areas. Locality tables may be found at Office of Personnel Management Salaries and Wages. COLA: In addition to salary, compensation also includes a Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA). COLA is not subject to Federal Income tax & is not calculated as salary for retirement. This allowance is to offset the cost of goods and services, housing, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. For more information, visit OPM's website. Post Allowance: In addition to salary, compensation also includes a Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA). This allowance is to offset the cost of goods and services, housing, transportation and miscellaneous expenses; and is not taxable. For more information, visit U.S. Department of State. {{Only for foreign duty location}} Physical Demands: The work is primarily performed in an office setting, with some travel to review field operations or to attend meetings, conventions, and other such events. Work Environment: Work is usually performed in both an office and field setting with exposure to moderate discomforts encountered on field trips such as extremes of heat or cold, wet conditions, or other weather-related hazards. Telework: This position is eligible for telework as determined by the agency policy. Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Applicants will be allowed to select a duty location from the list of locations of this announcement: Ladysmith WI or Medford WI

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.