Soil Conservationist

Please make sure you submit your application in USAJobs, not Handshake. Here is the link to the announcement where you can apply. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/805236900

Description

This job provides assistance in the development, planning, contracting, and application of land conservation practices and programs consistent with Natural Resources Conservation Service policy and procedures.

Duties

• Assist in gathering and assembling preliminary data for all resource concerns for use in developing complete basic farm conservation plans, including conducting engineering surveys and preparing drawings for conservation practices common to the area.
• Utilize Toolkit/Protracts programs in the documentation and management of conservation plans and technical assistance by the service center.
• Carry out a follow-up schedule for applying soil conservation practices in accordance with plan and contract schedules.
• Work with District Conservationists to conduct environmental education on natural resource issues, water quality, and general conservation.

Basic Requirements: 

The information below is for the entry level position at the GS-5 level. There are additional requirements for qualifications for the GS-7 and GS-9 levels that can be found in the announcement.

1. Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in 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. (You must submit transcripts.) or
2. 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 comparable to a 4-year degree. 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. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. (You must submit transcripts.)