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Form of workThe incumbent will serve as a Urban Conservationist assisting the field offices and staff in developing and implementing a comprehensive Natural Resource conservation program throughout the geographical area of responsibility by providing technical guidance, assistance, and evaluation on matters related to Farm Bill Programs and Conservation Program contracting and implementation.Qualifications: 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.
Time in grade: Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. (e.g. one year at the GS-9 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level, one year at the GS-7 grade level for consideration for the GS-9).
0401 Basic Education Requirement:
Degree: 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.
0457 Basic Education Requirement:
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.
In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:
SpecializedExperience: To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-07 level or higher, which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Utilizing technical tools, systems, and databases Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART), Conservation Desktop, Protracts, GIS/ArcGIS etc.) in support of conservation activities. Knowledge of a wide range of soil and water and other Natural Resource conservation planning concepts, principles, and techniques.
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: For the GS-09 level: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent degree directly related to the position.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: 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.
Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-09 level or higher, which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Working knowledge of a wide range of soil and water and other Natural Resource conservation planning concepts, principles, and techniques. Utilizing technical tools, systems, and databases (Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART), Conservation Desktop, Protracts, GIS/ArcGIS etc.) in support of conservation activities. Providing technical support and training to others on the use of electronic business tools related to conservation planning or implementation.
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: 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, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: 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 more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov)
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.Education: If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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 for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement.
Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.
Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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 for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement.
Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.
Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.Employment Type: FULL_TIME
