Natural Resources Specialist

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Recruitment incentives

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon seeks a professional to support a coordinated natural resources conservation program, assisting customers and meeting agency goals.

Responsibilities include developing public information programs, coordinating with teams, and contributing to planning and evaluation of conservation projects across recreational, commercial, and preservation contexts.

Qualifications

• Education must be from an accredited school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and transcripts may be required.
• Foreign education must be evaluated and translated, with official transcripts submitted if selected.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in developing public relations and information/education programs related to natural resources.
• Participating in meetings to coordinate work and prioritize where technical assistance will be provided.
• Providing input on natural resources issues such as recreational development, commercial development, and resource preservation.
• Planning, administering, and evaluating programs to ensure conservation and protection measures are considered.

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). You will perform a variety of duties related to carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program to assist customers in meeting their needs and needs of the agency.

Major Duties

Assisting in developing public relations and information/education programs as they relate to natural resources issues. Participating in meetings with others to coordinate work and prioritize where technical assistance will be provided. Providing input to others regarding natural resources issue such as recreational development, commercial development, and natural resource preservation. Planning, administering, and evaluating various natural resources and environmental protection programs to ensure proper consideration is given to resource conservation and protection measures. Using data or information generated by various natural resources systems to help develop and present both long and short range planning documents, and to prepare reports on study finding. Balancing competing goals for items such as recreational development and natural resource preservation. Conducting long and short-term scientific studies and investigations on the use of natural resources. Coordinating items such as surveys, monitoring, complies biological data, or prepares reports using statistical data. Assisting customers in meeting their needs to include items such as assisting in implementing conservation plans or conducting scientific studies of natural resources program.

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 Programs 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. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting transcripts.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Teamwork

The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Additional Information - USA Hire Online Assessment If you are applying as a non-competitive eligible, you are required to complete the online USA Hire assessment associated with this vacancy. All competitive eligible applicants are required to complete the online USA Hire assessment to be considered for the position for this vacancy. Applicants will not be given the opportunity to complete the online USA Hire assessment outside of the assigned assessment window for this vacancy. The assessment window closes 48 hours after the posted closing date and time of the announcement. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13064754

Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a 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. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) Physical Demands: The work involves both field and office work. The work regularly requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky terrain, recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching; or recurring moving, lifting and carrying of moderately heavy items. Work Environment: Some work is performed in an office setting. Other work is performed in the field, with exposure to extreme weather conditions, risks of falls, strains, and sprains, striking against brush and overhanging branches, and off-road travel in mountainous terrain. Safety equipment is required.

• Telework: This position is eligible for telework as determined by the agency policy.
• Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.