Description:
**The closing date of this announcement has been extended to Thursday, May 2, 2024.**The position is located on the Ecological Sciences Team, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS), state office. The NRCS mission is to provide resources to farmers and landowners to aid them With conservation. The primary purpose of the position is to provide leadership for the technical quality of the agronomic program throughout the State.
Requirements:
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 at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level).
0471 Basic Education Requirement: Degree: Agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management;
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
0457 Basic Education Requirement: 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;
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: at least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown 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.
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 the GS-11 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, examples of specialized experience include: Collaborating in developing improved irrigated and dryland pasture mixtures; Applying knowledge of applicable research data to field problems; Providing technical assistance on topics such as soil interpretations, and plant, crop and soil management; Communicating and sharing general information and explaining general issues related to natural resources conservation problems and solutions; OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in agronomy, soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as plant physiology, crop science, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering;
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.
Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-12 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, examples of specialized experience include: Assisting in the development of agronomic techniques and standards for carrying out a program to improve soil structure and fertility, replenish and maintain supplies of organic matter, and secure proper application of irrigation water, nutrient management, and integrated pest management/pest management; Providing input on the analysis of difficult and complex agronomic problems; Providing technical guidance and assistance on topics such as soil interpretations, and plant, crop and soil management, soil erosion, sedimentation, and certified nutrient management plans; Expertise in the use of agronomy technology transfer tools Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level.
For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF
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.
Apr 11, 2024;
from:
usajobs.gov