SUPV INTD Natural Resource Manager/Soil Conservationist (ASC-Programs)

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
Opening and closing dates05/04/2021 to 05/17/2021
Service

Competitive

Pay scale & grade

GS 13

Salary
$92,143 to $119,787 per year
Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time
Duties SummaryThis position serves on the Iowa State Conservationist's staff in the state office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This position is Assistant State Conservationist (Programs) (ASC-P), with responsibility for the coordination, direction, implementation, and evaluation of program activities statewide.ResponsibilitiesServe as consultant and advisor of NRCS program responsibilities in the assigned state by recommending and implementing policies within the framework of broad national policies.Serve as a program manager for various natural resources conservation programs in order to properly control and utilize appropriate funds and provide program balance for program activities in the state.Provide statewide leadership and guidance for overall planning, development and operation of programs and activities within area of responsibility.Present information, prepare activity reports and monitor program operations and budgets.Coordinate and correlate the work of program staff with other specialists at the Area, State, and National levels.Provide leadership and assistance to the State Technical Committee, local work groups, and partners in carrying out quality Farm Bill programs and other assigned conservation activities.Provide supervision to staff of varied grade levels. This includes providing overall leadership of program activities, making work assignments, evaluating performance, interviewing candidates, making selections, and determining training needs.Travel Required25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status

Yes

Promotion Potential

13
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou 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/.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. Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level).Basic Education Requirement:0457-Degree--soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. The study must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science.ORCombination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown in A above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science.
Evaluation of Education: Education that provided specialized knowledge and skills in soil and water conservation is more valuable than education that imparted broad but general knowledge and skills. Courses in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil genesis, plant physiology, plant science, and field crops are examples of specialized courses that contribute towards meeting the required 12 semester hours as described above. Courses in the physical sciences or engineering such as geology, civil engineering, and hydrology also meet the soils, crops, or plant science course requirements where such courses included a complete introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.Evaluation of Experience: Experience that included the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields is appropriate, given the interdisciplinary character of the soil conservation occupation. For example, experience gained in a specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work.0401-Degree--biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.ORCombination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:Specialized Experience:To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. For this interdisciplinary position, specialized experience is defined as:

Applying mastery knowledge of soil and water conservation programs, soil and water conservation concepts, and laws required to carry out a complex and diverse conservation program for the State;Interpreting national guidelines to develop criteria for a variety of resource conservation problems and concerns related to the Farm Bill programs and other assigned conservation programs;Developing short and long-range plans and strategies to address National, State and local conservation priorities, AND;Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation programs.
NOTE: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 level.
For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Group Standard
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.
EducationIf you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. 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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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.
Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.
Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.Additional informationLocality Pay: The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables my be found at .Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.Physical Demands: The work is sedentary and usually performed while the incumbent is seated at a desk. There is some walking and travel to attend meetings away from the work site.Work Environment: The work is usually performed in an office environment, requiring common sense precautions typical of this setting. Some fieldwork is involved during training and evaluation of program application.PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following:
If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted.If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline.This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:
Conservation PlanningConservation ProgramsCustomer ServiceQuality Assurance
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.
Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).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.For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the VRA , 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.
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 application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.
To view the application form, visit: Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance
Other
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and riskNon-sensitive (NS)/Low RiskTrust determination processSuitability/FitnessThis job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

Veterans

Land & base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Clarification from the agency
Current permanent federal employees with competitive status, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP, VEOA eligibles, Farm Service Agency permanent county employees, and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.