Soil Consv Techncn

This position is located within a USDA Natural Resources Conservation state, area, or field office within a designated state.

This position provides assistance to the Soil and Water Conservation District assigned to the field office within the assigned Natural Resources area; and to work with landowners to apply and maintain a number of conservation practices and review of financial assistance requests under the provision of federal, state, and local agriculture programs.Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The GS-0458 Soil Conservation Technician series is a technical position. Education is not a requirement for this position, however, this series does allows individuals without experience in this field to substitute education in lieu of experience.

GS-05
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience at this level include, but are not limited to, gathering and compiling planning data on soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, and sedimentation to make preliminary engineering surveys; assisting in the development of large area resource conservation plans; and working with landowners on the application and maintenance of conservation practices. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)

OR

Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable. (Must submit transcripts as proof of any claimed education.)

OR

Combination of experience and education: You must have a combination of education and experience as listed above which when combined totals 100% of the necessary education and experience to qualify for this position. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. (Must provide transcripts)

GS-06
Specialized Experience: One full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience at this level include, but are not limited to, advising landowners on the use of one or several single alternative practices such as nutrient management, roof runoff structures, contour cultivation, grassed waterways, and terracing; installing and maintaining soil and water conservation measures on farms, ranches, or agricultural land; performing surveying work, reducing notes and drafting specifications for various stabilization or diversion practices; and providing advice on merging conservation practices using established objectives. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)

OR

Education: Half year of graduate education from an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree with a major course of study in Soil Conservation, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering/Construction Technology (Auto CAD/Drafting, Surveying, GIS), Agronomy, Agri-Business/Economics.

OR

Combination of experience and education: Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above. This combination has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Note: Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.

GS-07
Specialized Experience: One full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience at this level include, but are not limited to, designing, installing and maintaining a variety of nonroutine conservation measures on public and privately owned land including farms, parks, shoreline, dams and reservoir areas, forests, and/or wildlife habitats; advising property holders on the effectiveness of applying soil and water conservation practices; conducting basic research in support of conservation planning efforts; performing surveying work, reducing notes and drafting specifications for various stabilization or diversion practices; providing advice on merging conservation practices using established objectives; and developing and maintaining constructive relationships with clients, partners, and Conservation Districts. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)

OR

Education: One full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) from an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree with a major course of study in Soil Conservation, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering/Construction Technology (Auto CAD/Drafting, Surveying, GIS), Agronomy, Agri-Business/Economics.

OR
Combination of experience and education: Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above. This combination has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Note: 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/soil-conservation-technician-series-0458/

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.Employment Type: FULL_TIME