SOIL CONSERVATIONIST (Resource Conservationist)

Department Of Agriculture • Washington, DC

361d • $73,939 - $113,268

About The Position

This position is located in the State Conservationist office; assigned to a field office or area office in New York, Natural Resources conservation Service (NRCS), US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Incumbent will assist the field offices and staff in developing and implementing a comprehensive natural resource conservation program by providing technical guidance, assistance, and evaluation, contracting and implementation on Farm Bill and Conservation Programs.

Requirements

• 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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
• Conservation Planning Level (Certified Conservation Planner). Incumbent is required to obtain conservation Planning Level certification according to the guidelines in Part 409.3 of the General Manual.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of a wide variety of agronomic, engineering, hydrologic, biology, and forestry concerns, principles, practices and methodology to independently solve natural resource problems related to soil and water conservation plans.
• Experience in Farm Bill Programs and conservation Program contracting and implementation.
• Demonstrated success with program management, training and quality control.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical assistance and guidance to carry out various types of natural resource conservation programs, ensuring conservation goals are effectively and efficiently achieved.
• Works with landowners and operators, individually and in groups to develop a wide variety of conservation plans according to established policies and procedures and in accordance with landowners' decisions.
• Provides program support to team resources conservationists, field office (FO) personnel and technical service providers (TSPs) in carrying out all Farm Bill Programs, policies and procedures in contracting, and conservation management.
• Assists the Area Regional Conservationist with field office operations including establishing goals, developing and implementing the team-wide plan of operations, determining workload, and the training of others.
• Promotes and assists in the development and implementation of long-range district plans and annual plans of work.
• Coordinates all requests received from employees within the assigned area for Area staff specialists' assistance when practices exceed the field office' job approved authority.
• Communicates NRCS conservation programs and other natural resources conservation activities using information tools and techniques to promote district and agency programs.
• Represents the agency on county committees and/or task forces as directed by the supervisor; establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with all levels of government.

Benefits

• Relocation expenses may be authorized as allowable by Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and USDA policy.
• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees