Natural Resource Specialist/ Soil Conservationist (State Resources Inventory Coordinator)

If you are applying for the position, please make sure to apply through the announcement on USAJobs, not through Handshake.

Summary

The position is responsible for utilizing National Resources Inventory (NRI) analytical summaries and marketing published results for their state, and coordination and leadership in collection of NRI onsite and local data within the assigned State Office.

The position is being advertised under both the 0457 Soil Conservation and 0401 General Natural Resources and Biological Sciences job series. There are different qualifications for each series.

An annual incentive of up to $7,500 for 3 years may be offered.

Duties

• Leads data collection activities within the state for national, continuous, and special resource inventories as specified by RIAD.
• Serves on regional or national teams to help develop and test data collection protocols, instructions, software, or decision support tools. Provides status reports to the State Soil Scientist, RSL Leader, and RIAD.
• Provides leadership and guidance to data collection specialists in the state to support annual onsite and local data collection for the NRI program.
• Assures confidentiality agreements are in place and signed for everyone in the state with access to NRI information.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the 08/07/2024 the of the announcement.

Basic Requirement: This is an interdisciplinary position, and applicants must meet one of the following educational requirements stated below to meet the Basic Requirements under the series in which they apply for this position to be considered. (Must submit transcripts)

Soil Conservation Series GS-0457:
Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in 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. (You must submit transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown 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. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. (You must submit transcripts.)

Natural Resources Management GS-0401:
Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (You must submit transcripts.)
OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. (You must submit transcripts.)

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: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:

• Reviewing natural resource conservation plans and measures;
• Providing technical guidance to field staff in the development of conservation plans;
• Make recommendations for using and/or deployment of new natural resource conservation business tools; and
• Serving as a consultant regarding conservation plans and problems.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level.