Supervisory Resource Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service • Bozeman, MT

2d

About The Position

This position is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It formulates, recommends, and implements policies and procedures for resource conservation planning and program activities, and plays an active role in developing and implementing a comprehensive state soil, water, and natural resource conservation program.

The position directs the development and operation of the resource conservation planning program and leads state specialists in resource conservation planning, biology, and plant technology. It provides state leadership for technical data, standards, guides, and manuals; develops supplements to national planning guidance when needed; and supports field offices through guidance, inspections, training, and technical leadership. The role also assists with the State Business Plan and manages program resources, staff assignments, schedules, budgets, and work products.

As a supervisor, the position oversees GS-12 specialists, potentially including rangeland management specialists, agronomists, foresters, biologists, and soil conservationists. Supervisory duties include assigning and evaluating work, determining training needs, interviewing and selecting candidates, addressing employee complaints and grievances, reviewing disciplinary cases, and advising employees on technical and administrative matters.

The work is sedentary and is generally performed in offices, meeting or training rooms, libraries, residences, or commercial vehicles. Some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and driving may occur. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
• Pass satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint checks and be subject to continuous vetting.
• Serve a one-year probationary period; supervisory/managerial probation may also apply unless prior service is creditable.
• Complete required training for new FPAC supervisors before the end of the supervisory probationary period.
• Make federal payments by direct deposit.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator’s license for vehicles used in the work.
• Submit Confidential Financial Disclosure Report Form OGE-450 within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Meet the GS-0457 basic education requirement: a degree in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline, including specified natural resource/agricultural coursework; alternatively, meet the stated combination of coursework and appropriate experience or additional education.
• For GS-13, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 or comparable experience, including technical leadership in complex natural resource conservation programs; directing landowners and operators in conservation planning; agency representation and advisory work with committees or conservation districts; program management, training, and quality control for NRCS Farm Bill programs; area reviews; and field staff training in technical practices.
• 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 able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and undergo a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and credit report.
• If qualifying based on education, provide transcripts; foreign education must meet the stated U.S. Department of Education recognition and documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Direct the development and operation of an effective resource conservation planning program.
• Direct resource conservation planning, biology, and plant technology state specialists and coordinate their activities to support field staff in implementing a comprehensive conservation program.
• Provide state leadership for developing, improving, and maintaining technical data, standards, guides, and manuals related to resource conservation planning, biology, recreation, plant technology, and resource development.
• Develop needed supplements to the National Planning Procedures Handbook to guide hub and work unit offices in preparing plans, inventories, and evaluations.
• Formulate and recommend policies and procedures for hub personnel; inspect field work in plant science, resource conservation planning, and follow-up activities.
• Assist the State Conservationist (STC) with development and implementation of the State Business Plan.
• Provide overall leadership for program activities, assign work, evaluate performance, interview candidates, make selections, and determine training needs.
• Manage staff resources by preparing short- and long-range schedules, preparing and monitoring budgets and funding requests, organizing work, and controlling work products.
• Supervise GS-12 staff specialists and provide leadership on technical aspects of conservation planning.
• Hear and resolve employee complaints and grievances, review disciplinary cases, and advise, counsel, or instruct employees on technical and administrative issues.
• Provide supervision to staff specialists, which may include rangeland management specialists, agronomists, foresters, biologists, and soil conservationists.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Relocation expenses may be authorized under Federal Travel Regulations and USDA policy.
• Telework eligibility as determined by agency policy.

What This Job Offers

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