Conservation Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), State Office.
This position is located on the staff of the Assistant State Conservationist (Programs). The incumbent is responsible for providing support for all Conservation Programs in the state and is the Program Manager for one or more Financial Assistance Programs.
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Duties
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• Functions as the primary Program Manager for NRCS Financial Assistance Programs, coordinating program funding statewide and providing input on budget discussions related to program utilization and opportunities.
• Coordinates support to field offices for efficient program delivery, including tracking technical assistance fund use and obligations.
• Applies knowledge of NRCS conservation planning principles and resource concerns to ensure consistent implementation of Financial Assistance Programs, ensuring compliance with legislation, USDA, and NRCS requirements.
• Interprets national guidance on Conservation Programs and develops conservation program implementation strategies
• Develops manual supplements, bulletins, and guidance documents consistent with national guidance

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. If selected, you may be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are unable to reimburse for any fees incurred.
• Probationary and Trial Period - Successful completion of a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period unless previous federal service is creditable. Refer to Next Steps for more information.
• 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.gov.
• The incumbent serves as an incidental motor vehicle operator on public and private roads during daylight and after dark if needed to perform the duties of the position, must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license

Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
Basic Education Requirement: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown 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 for the GS-12: 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. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Devising and implementing short- and long-term conservation plans, integrating resource development projects, simple to complex conservation strategies and accompanying justifications;
• Assisting with the management of NRCS Financial Assistance programs;
• Independently functioning as a Program Manager, or providing input to the Program Manager with the management of agency financial resources to formulate conservation priorities and multi-year objectives.

Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): 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 candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP 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 applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
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.
Physical Demands: The work requires physical exertion sufficient to be able to walk across farmland, rangeland, or forested terrain for periods of several hours' duration, carrying loads of less than 20 pounds. Office work is primarily sedentary.
Work Environment: Work environment is variable. In the office, the work is primarily performed in a well lighted, climate-controlled office setting. In the field, the environment may include extreme cold, hot sun, rain and snow, exposure to biting insects, poisonous plants, and wildlife; special protective measures may be required.
Motor Vehicles: The incumbent serves as an incidental motor vehicle operator on public and private roads during daylight and after dark if needed to perform the duties of the position. A valid state operator's license is required.
Telework: This position is eligible for telework as determined by the agency policy.
Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.