Soil Conservationist (District Conservationist)

Natural Resources Conservation Service•Champaign, IL

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a District Conservationist, assisting conservation districts within a managerial unit of one or more counties or districts to develop a comprehensive natural resources conservation program. The position provides leadership and oversight for conservation planning and delivery, including Farm Bill programs, and works with landowners, conservation districts, tribes, and other partners to address natural resource concerns on private lands. The position supervises federal employees, serves as a liaison with state and district employees, reviews subordinate work, and sets and evaluates performance standards. It oversees the management, operation, and maintenance of planned conservation systems and practices in accordance with Field Office Technical Guide standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The incumbent informs landowners about technical and financial assistance and collaborates with them on conservation practice design, layout, construction, inspection, and certification. The incumbent coordinates interagency conservation assistance and partners with conservation entities to support long-term conservation delivery that sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of natural resources. Recruitment or relocation incentives of up to 25% may be offered in exchange for a four-year service agreement. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Successfully pass required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
Serve a one-year probationary period unless prior federal service is creditable; a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period also applies unless prior service is creditable.
New USDA supervisors must complete all required training program components before the end of the supervisory probationary period.
Maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the vehicle type(s) used in performing the duties.
Obtain a Conservation Planning Certification in accordance with General Manual 180 Part 409.3.
Meet the GS-0457 basic education requirement: a degree in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline with specified coursework, or the specified combination of education and experience.
For GS-12, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 or higher in federal service, or comparable non-federal experience, applying soil and water conservation and related science principles to identify conservation problems.
GS-12 specialized experience must include experience such as workload analysis and work-plan development; directing technical guidance on conservation topics; preparing complex conservation or resource management plans and providing financial or implementation assistance; communicating technical conservation information; and implementing or managing natural resources programs and practices.
There is no education substitution for the GS-12 specialized experience requirement.
If qualifying based on education, submit transcripts with course details; foreign education must meet the stated equivalency and documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

Supervise federal employees and serve as liaison between state and district employees.
Ensure the quality and quantity of work; review subordinate work and accept, revise, or reject it.
Manage, operate, and maintain planned conservation systems and practices in accordance with Field Office Technical Guide standards and applicable regulations.
Inform and educate landowners about technical and financial assistance for conservation system and practice implementation.
Oversee, manage, and administer Farm Bill programs.
Provide leadership in conservation planning with conservation districts, tribes, and partners to address natural resource concerns on private lands.
Coordinate interagency delivery of conservation assistance to private landowners and others.
Partner with conservation entities to support long-term local, state, and federal conservation delivery.
Set performance standards and evaluate subordinate performance.
Work with landowners on conservation practice design, layout, construction, inspection, and certification.