- Position Title
- Biologist/Soil Conservationist (Easement Program Specialist)
- Agency
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Announcement Number
- NRCS-23-11700005-ST-CT-VM Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 7, 2022 to Tuesday, November 15, 2022
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 permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?
4.
Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
5.
Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
6.
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.
7.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
8.
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?
9.
Are you:
• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Select the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series.
Assessment 1
Please respond to the following questions. Any experience claimed in response to the questions MUST be supported by information in your resume. This information must be SPECIFIC, (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide supporting documentation may result in an ineligible rating.
1.
In this part, you will be asked about your education or experience in meeting the basic qualifications or the GS-401 series. Please read all responses prior to making your selection, then select the answer that accurately reflects your qualifications.
2.
Select the statement that best describes your education that meets the basic qualifications for the Soil Conservation Series, GS-0457 series. You will be required to provide transcripts with your application to validate that you meet degree/coursework requirements.
In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet specialized experience requirements. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses. Failure to respond will result in you being rated not qualified.
3.
In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet the minimal qualification requirements. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess for consideration at the GS-0401 at the GS-09 level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses.
4.
In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet the minimal qualification requirements. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess for consideration at the GS-0401 at the GS-11 level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses
5.
Select the statement that best describes your experience demonstrating your ability to perform the work of a Soil Conservationist, GS-0457 at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses.
6.
Select the statement that best describes your experience demonstrating your ability to perform the work of a Soil Conservationist, GS-0457 at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses.
7.
Which of the following describes your experience with easement acquisition and survey requirements?
8.
Participate in the preparation, review or analysis of information on easement land eligibility and restoration planning.
9.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your level of experience as it relates to your ability to provide leadership in developing and maintaining comprehensive, Agency-wide policies and procedures for the WRP, ACEP-WRE, and EWPP-FPE, and other assigned easement programs.
10.
Use of NRCS systems (such as Pro Tracts, NEST) to monitor implementation of financial assistance and easement programs
11.
Which of the following describes your experience with easement types?
12.
Which of the following describes your experience with easement monitoring tracking and data analysis?
13.
Which of the following best describes your level of experience in providing assistance to NRCS and partners for strategic conservation program delivery to implement conservation easement programs.
14.
Check all of the following Easement programs in which you have a complete understanding of their purpose and objectives to guide in the implementation and interpretation of policy.
15.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience analyzing and interpreting data or resource information.
16.
I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided may be investigated. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education or providing false or fraudulent information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for firing me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).