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Natural Resource Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located is in the Financial Assistance Program Division (FAPD), Office of the Deputy Chief for Programs. Office of the Associate Chief for Conservation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This position assists with implementation of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as part of the Projects Branch. The Projects Branch is responsible for national management and administration of RCPP.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/23/2020 to 01/13/2021
Salary
$78,681 - $120,868 per year

Salary range is an approximation and dependent upon location selection.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Fort Collins, CO
Washington, DC
Kansas City, MO
Greensboro, NC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
21-MP-10955537-LH
Control number
588003200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You may apply if you are a Status Candidate (Merit Promotion, VEOA, Land Management Eligible, FSA perm county employee) and/or a Non-Competitive Hiring Authority Eligible (30% Disabled Veteran, Certain Military Spouse, Schedule A, Certain Peace Corps/VISTA Employee/Volunteer, Certain Former Overseas Employee, Foreign Service Employee, CTAP/ICTAP, Interchange Agreement Employee, or you are employed under a Miscellaneous Authority not regulated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.)

Duties

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  • Leads implementation of annual program cycles, including development of national funding announcements, coordination of proposal evaluation and ultimately, working with NRCS leadership to make award selections.
  • Prepares RCPP rules, policies, guidance and procedures to ensure policy is current and legally compliant with the Farm Bill requirements.
  • Supports the development of business tools such as the Programs Portal, ProTracts, Conservation Desktop/CART and Funds Manager to ensure the tools incorporate RCPP needs and work for the program.
  • Develops, uses and maintains program databases and automated tools for use in program analysis.
  • Monitors implementation of existing RCPP projects, supporting States and analyzing progress.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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.
  • Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level; and one year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level.. (Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No Award or General Adjustment SF-50's will be accepted). Time-in-grade requirements also apply to VEOA applicants having held a GS position in the past year. See addition information.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Basic Education Requirement
A. A Bachelor's or higher degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position (Transcripts are required)OR
B. A combination of education and experience. this includes courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.(Transcripts are required)
AND
Specialized Experience GS-13: One or more years of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level of the Federal service, performing the following duties:

  • develop and maintain conservation program policies and activities;
  • draft rules, regulations and procedures to ensure policy is current and legally compliant with the Farm Bill requirements;
  • prepare briefing materials and respond to inquiries to natural resources conservation programs;
  • assist leadership with development and coordination of computing environment programs and tools related to Natural Resource Conservation processes;
  • provide assistance in developing national natural resources management program policies, rules, guidelines, standards, manuals, and procedures for EQIP, CSP, RCPP and other assigned programs within the Programs Deputy area; and
  • experience using NRCS Business Tools, Service center Integrated Management System, and Common Computing Environment software required to prepare reports from ProTracts, Fund Manager, Subsidiary Data, Progress Reporting System, Field Office Business Tools, and use of all NRCS Common Computing environment software.
Specialized Experience GS-14: One or more years of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-13 level of the Federal service, performing the following duties:
  • provide assistance and coordination to FAPD EQIP, CSP and RCPP branch chiefs and agency leadership in the development and implementation of assigned natural resources management programs to ensure financial and technical assistance funds are allocated, obligated, and expended within agency authorities;
  • develop and maintain complex conservation program policies and activities;
  • develop new methods and techniques to identify and resolve sensitive issues resulting from conflicting demands on natural resources;
  • prepare rules, regulations and procedures to ensure policy is current and legally compliant with the Farm Bill requirements;
  • prepare briefing materials and respond to Congressional. Departmental, interagency, and public inquiries to natural resource conservation programs;
  • assist leadership with development and coordination of computing environment programs and tools related to Natural Resource Conservation processes;
  • provide recommendations in developing national natural resources management program policies, rules, guidelines, standards, manuals, and procedures for EQIP, CSP, RCPP and other assigned programs within the Programs Deputy area; and
  • extensive experience using NRCS Business Tools, Service center Integrated Management System, and Common Computing Environment software required to prepare reports from ProTracts, Fund Manager, Subsidiary Data, Progress Reporting System, Field Office Business Tools, and use of all NRCS Common Computing environment software.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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.

Education

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). 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 for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

This position is open to Competitive Merit Promotion, Non-Competitive, and Special Hiring Authority eligibles. You must meet the requirements for one of the below categories to be eligible.

1. A current permanent competitive service employee; former Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service; or former Federal employee who served on a career conditional appointment without achieving career status in the competitive service who was separated less than three years ago. You must submit an SF-50 that reflects career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1). Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No Award or General Adjustment SF-50's will be accepted.
2. A Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge. To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. NOTE: Time-in-grade requirements also apply to VEOA applicants having held a GS position in the past year.
3. A 30% or more Disabled Veteran. You must submit your DD214, a completed SF-15, and letter from the VA dated 1991 or later.
4. Military Spouses. You are eligible if: 1) you are the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces; 2) you are the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated with a disability rating of 100 percent; or 3) you are the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status.Please submit supporting documentation to be considered (e.g. active duty orders, marriage verification, SF-15, DD-214, disability letter from VA, etc.
5. Schedule A: USDA welcomes and encourages applicants from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advance on the basis of merit. Documentation of eligibility under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e. state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. Territory that issues or provides disability benefits. This letter must be separate from any Veterans Preference documentation.
6. A Former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers Appointment. Please submit documentation to be considered.
7. Other non-competitive authorities (please see announcement language for applicable authorities)
8. A current or former Land Management Bureau employee who has served at least 24 months under a time-limited competitive appointment who is eligible for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
This position may be eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Oral Communication, Planning and Evaluating, and Writing

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and have a final assessment score of 85 or better. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the USDA with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your USDA component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and have a final assessment score of 85 or better. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ctap

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Do you want to work for a premier conservation agency whose mission is to "help people help the land?" The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), works in close partnership with farmers, ranchers, forest managers, non-governmental organizations, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to create and maintain healthy and productive working landscapes.

As part of USDA's new Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area, NRCS has 3,000 locations and covers every county in the U.S. We help stewards of agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands to plan and implement proven conservation systems through technical and financial assistance designed to enhance productivity, improve soil and water health, and restore wetlands and wildlife habitat.

We need people who are committed to action through public service-- people who help ensure that all of us enjoy the benefits that come from a healthy environment and productive agriculture. Please consider joining us and helping to make a difference for generations to come.

Agency contact information

Midwest Services Branch
Phone
8164265706
Email
Kansascity@opm.gov
Address
USDA NRCS
1400 Independence Ave SW
Rm 5224-S
Washington, DC 20250
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Natural Resources Conservation Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

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