- Position Title
- Soil Conservation Technician
- Agency
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Announcement Number
- NRCS-IL-11132518-DE-IL-CPF Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, June 2, 2021 to Wednesday, June 16, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
4.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
Preferences
1.
Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
The following questions are designed to measure your education and experience in relation to the minimum qualifications for this position. All applicants must supply transcripts or other supporting documentation that demonstrates how they meet the educational and experience requirements for the position. Failure to do so will result in your disqualification.
1.
From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Soil Conservation Technician, GS-04 position.
2.
From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Soil Conservation Technician, GS-05 position.
3.
Please describe in detail below all of your directly related experience gathering and compiling planning data on soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, and sedimentation to make preliminary engineering surveys; assisting in the development of large area resource conservation plans; and working with landowners on the application and maintenance of conservation practices. Your directly related experience must also be stated in your resume and include the start and end dates of when you performed this work. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating for this vacancy.
4.
Please describe in detail below all of your directly related experience advising landowners on the use of one or several single alternative practices such as nutrient management, roof runoff structures, contour cultivation, grassed waterways, and terracing; installing and maintaining soil and water conservation measures on farms, ranches, or agricultural land; performing surveying work, reducing notes and drafting specifications for various stabilization or diversion practices; and providing advice on merging conservation practices using established objectives. Your directly related experience must also be stated in your resume and include the start and end dates of when you performed this work. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating for this vacancy.
5.
Please describe in detail below all of your directly related experience designing, installing and maintaining a variety of nonroutine conservation measures on public and privately owned land including farms, parks, shoreline, dams and reservoir areas, forests, and/or wildlife habitats; advising property holders on the effectiveness of applying soil and water conservation practices; conducting basic research in support of conservation planning efforts; performing surveying work, reducing notes and drafting specifications for various stabilization or diversion practices; providing advice on merging conservation practices using established objectives; and developing and maintaining constructive relationships with clients, partners, and Conservation Districts. Your directly related experience must also be stated in your resume and include the start and end dates of when you performed this work. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating for this vacancy.
6.
Please carefully read the statements below and check all that apply to your level of knowledge and experience.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
7.
Assist landowners with the planning and application of conservation practices to protect and prevent pollution of ground and surface water in order to be in compliance with state and federal water quality mandates.
8.
Provide technical support to conservationists in resource planning and installation of a variety of conservation practices.
9.
Review conservation plans with landowners and schedules on-site assistance.
10.
Advise property holders on the effectiveness of apply soil and water conservation practices.
11.
Analyze aerial photographs and soil maps to identify land attributes such as soil types, land uses, field numbers, acreage, and hydrology calculations.
12.
Prepare field sketches and drawings of planned and installed conservation practices.
13.
Gather preliminary resource data on the physical features of agricultural and other natural resource sites (e.g. soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, and sedimentation) to be used in conservation planning.
14.
Participate in meetings, conferences, and workgroups to determine and resolve data needs, maintain skilled employees, and promote technology transfer from the research community to the agency.
15.
Meet and coordinate with organizational constituents in the same field to provide and exchange information.
16.
Interact with other branches, teams and external organizations in implementing and administering information management systems and technologies to meet policy requirements.
17.
Assist with research and analysis of applicable laws, regulations, and policies, and participate in preparing summaries, reports, and analyses for use by conservationists.
18.
Prepare status reports and presentations on conditions in relation to soil and land topography.
19.
Provide information to farmers, ranchers, and other rural residents on the kinds of conservation assistance that are available to them.
20.
Advise landowners on need to apply sound soil and water conservation practices to solve resource problems identified by landowners in applying conservation practices.
21.
Explain cost-share payment procedures to farmers.
22.
Provide planning information to local government units for development of projects such as flood control, paths, trails, and wildlife habitats.
23.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.