Supervisory Soil Conservationist (State Resource Conservationist)
What you'd do
This position is located in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in Bangor, Maine. The incumbent works with all areas and programs staff leaders and supervises and coordinates ecological sciences staff personnel in the development and maintenance of technical standards and guides for a wide variety of complex problems in the fields of conservation planning and ecological sciences, including agronomy, range, forestry, biology, water quality, and recreation.
Major duties
Directs resource conservation planning, biology, and plant technology state specialists and coordinates their activities to assist the field staff in the implementation of a comprehensive conservation program. Provides guidance and direction for the use of automated programs such as Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool, nutrient management planning, erosion prediction, grazing lands, spatial analysis tool, energy tools, and soils tillage intensity rating. Participates in program appraisals and conducts functional appraisals of activities related to the ecological sciences disciplines. Represents the State Conservationist; collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies and tribal entities in developing techniques, standards, and recommendations for treatment and use of agricultural lands. Provides overall leadership of program activities, making work assignments, evaluating performance, interviewing candidates and making selections, determines training needs.
What you need to qualify
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 Requirement: GS-0457: Degree: Successful completion of a 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 requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement GS-13:To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service. The experience requires: Applying a broad knowledge of soil and water conservation principles and methods. Developing natural resource guidelines. Working with business plans addressing priorities, goals, and objectives. Developing, implementing, and managing complex natural resource conservation programs dealing with diverse and sometimes opposing audiences. Working as a liaison with individuals, groups, and federal, state, and local government. 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.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.