Natural Resource Specialist (Resource Conservationist)

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office. The incumbent serves on the staff of the Assistant State Conservationist (Programs) and provides statewide support for all NRCS Conservation Programs. The position also manages one or more Financial Assistance Programs, ensuring effective coordination and delivery of program services. 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 Education Requirement: 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 one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience for the GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Devising and implementing short- and long-term conservation plans, integrating resource development projects, simple to complex conservation strategies and accompanying justifications; Assisting with the management of NRCS Financial Assistance programs; Independently functioning as a Program Manager, or providing input to the Program Manager with the management of agency financial resources to formulate conservation priorities and multi-year objectives. 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. Functions as the primary Program Manager for NRCS Financial Assistance Programs, coordinating program funding statewide and providing input on budget discussions related to program utilization and opportunities. Coordinates support to field offices for efficient program delivery, including tracking technical assistance fund use and obligations. Applies knowledge of NRCS conservation planning principles and resource concerns to ensure consistent implementation of Financial Assistance Programs, ensuring compliance with legislation, USDA, and NRCS requirements. Interprets national guidance on Conservation Programs and develops conservation program implementation strategies Develops manual supplements, bulletins, and guidance documents consistent with national guidance Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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.