Soil Conservationist (District Conservationist)

This position is located in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Monticello, Utah. The selected candidate supports Conservation Districts within the managerial unit in the development of a comprehensive natural resources conservation program. The selected candidate also performs professional duties to achieve an integrated system of sound land use and conservation treatment in harmony with the capability and needs of the land and landowner. 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: GS-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. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11 grade level: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as all of the following: Preparing conservation or resource management plans and providing financial or implementation assistance. Communicating and sharing general information and explaining issues related to natural resource conservation, problems, and solutions to landowners, residents, and land managers. OR Education at the GS-11 grade level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.d. degree or PH.D or equivalent doctoral 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 graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. 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. For the GS-12 grade level: 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. Specialized experience is defined as all of the following: Preparing complex conservation or resource management plans and providing financial or implementation assistance. Communicating and sharing general information and explaining issues related to natural resource conservation, problems, and solutions to landowners, residents, and land managers. Directing technical guidance and assistance to groups and individuals on topics such as soil interpretations, erosion control measures, pest and invasive species control, water quality improvements, livestock management, wildlife habitat, and forest management. Analyzing workloads, developing and implementing annual work or business plans, and establishing goals within the constraints of funding and staff availability. NOTE: There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level. 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. Serves as a Soil Conservationist responsible for the overall management of agricultural resources and implementation of soil and water conservation plans. Conduct resource assessments using Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) criteria and technical tools to evaluate environmental concerns and provide landowners with informed conservation alternatives. Develops comprehensive Conservation Plans for District Projects comprising an extensive conservation program. Works with landowners on collection and analysis to identify problems, determine objectives, inventory resources and analyze resources. Informs and educates the landowner of conservation technical assistance and financial assistance to consider for conservation system and practice implementation. Provides advice and assistance to farm managers, farmers, and other interested individuals and groups on the planning and development of land use regulations. Provides leadership with conservation planning of natural resources and other activities in cooperation with the Conservation District, tribes, local, state, and federal conservation partners to address resource concerns on private lands. Responsible for supervision of federal employees located in multiple field office(s) and liaison between the state and district employees. Develops training plans to ensure personnel are adequately qualified to perform assigned tasks and to ensure personnel are provided the opportunity to develop their skills to optimum 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 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.