Natural Resource SpecialistSoil Conservationist
Job Location:
Casper, WY - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Casper Wyoming. The incumbent works under the supervision of the Assistant State Conservationist (ASTC-FO) in providing leadership and guidance in the implementation of Farm Bill programs to include the administration of the area Integrated Accountability System (IAS) and the use of automated NRCS field tools as related to conservation programs utilized within the area.
- Reviews existing Farm Bill contracts to develop monitor and evaluate proper contract execution to include but not limited to practice implantation and progress reporting by planned and applied contract dates.
- Directly advise and assist conservation organizations private landowners and conservation district members as they deliberate discuss plan and carry out soil and water conservation policies programs and local activities.
- Works with the field staff to formulate recommendations of needed program rule and implementation process changes.
- Monitors direct charge time by budgeted program hours for all area employees through state or national developed tracking systems.
- Reviews and monitors partnership cooperative and/or contribution agreements as well as other competitive technical assistance contracts to ensure proper and timely execution of such agreements administered in the area.
- Completes related financial/programmatic audits and Review of Open Obligations Tool (ROOT).
- Provides training guidance and technical oversight relative to administration of the producer level financial and technical assistance provisions of the Farm Bill to include serving as the Area Certifying Officer for all farm bill obligations.
- Establishes and maintains working relationships with other Federal state local and private agencies groups and individuals at the field and area level.
- Represents NRCS at conferences or on committees relating to the Farm Bill programs for which the agency has responsibility.
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected you may be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are unable to reimburse for any fees incurred.
- Probationary and Trial Period Successful completion of a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period unless previous federal service is creditable. Refer to Next Steps for more information.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit .
- Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operators license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
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 Managements 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.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.
Basic Requirement: GS-0401:
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.
Basic 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 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.
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as listed above.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
Specialized Experience for the GS-11 level: To qualify for the GS-11 level you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service or comparable experience not gained through Federal service where experience required the knowledge of the principles and theories of soil and water conservation and related sciences such as biology agronomy and forestry in identifying conservation related problems. For this position specialized experience is defined as all of the following:
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level:
Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study 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.
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.
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.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Physical Demands: Work is sedentary. Some work requires periods of walking standing bending climbing or driving a
motor vehicle. Employees occasionally carry light items such as books small instruments or
samples and other similar materials.
Work Environment: Work is usually performed in an office setting. The work area normally involves everyday risks
or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training
rooms; or may involve occasional exposure to a field site that involves risks and hazards that
require safety precautions.
Telework: This position is eligible for telework as determined by the agency policy.
Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
