Interdisciplinary Natural Resource Specialist/Soil Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service • Belle Fourche, SD

5d

About The Position

This position is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). FPAC serves farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners through crop insurance and disaster programs. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and operators to implement natural resource conservation practices.

The position serves as a Soil Conservationist and/or Natural Resources Specialist, supporting field and area staff in implementing assigned conservation programs. It provides training, guidance, and technical oversight for administration of Farm Bill producer-level financial and technical assistance, and serves as a contact for State Office program specialists to ensure relevant information is delivered accurately and promptly to field staff. The role also develops and maintains working relationships with Federal, state, local, and private agencies, groups, and individuals at the field and area level.

The position has GS-09 and GS-11 qualification pathways. Candidates must meet the applicable basic education requirements and specialized experience or education-substitution requirements. Work is generally sedentary and usually performed in an office, with occasional field-site exposure and some walking, standing, bending, climbing, driving, and carrying light items. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Requirements

• Meet the basic education requirements for the Natural Resource Specialist (0401) or Soil Conservationist (0457) series, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
• For Natural Resource Specialist (0401), have a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For Soil Conservationist (0457), have a degree in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline, including the specified coursework; alternatively, meet the stated coursework requirement through a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-09, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 involving soil and water conservation and related sciences, including resource conservation planning, contracting, conservation management systems, and developing conservation plans; or meet the stated graduate education substitution or combination pathway.
• For GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 involving technical guidance on natural resource topics, preparing conservation or resource management plans, providing financial or implementation assistance, and communicating conservation issues and solutions; or meet the stated doctoral education substitution or combination pathway.
• If a current federal GS employee applying for promotion, meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement at the next lower grade by the announcement closing date.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Pass the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the vehicle type(s) operated in performing the duties.
• Submit transcripts and any required foreign-education equivalency documentation when qualifying based on education.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Soil Conservationist and/or Natural Resources Specialist.
• Assist field and area staff in implementing assigned conservation programs.
• Provide training, guidance, and technical oversight for administration of producer-level Farm Bill financial and technical assistance provisions.
• Serve as a contact for State Office program specialists and ensure relevant information is provided accurately and promptly to field staff.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with Federal, state, local, and private agencies, groups, and individuals at the field and area level.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level