USA Staffing

Respond to the following questions. Mark only one response for each question. Any experience claimed in response to the following questions MUST be supported by information in your application (resume or any other written format). This information must be SPECIFIC (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide this supporting documentation may result in receipt of a lower or ineligible rating. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour workweek. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience.)

1. In this part, you will be asked about your education or experience in meeting the basic qualifications or the GS-471 series. Please read all responses prior to making your selection, then select the answer that accurately reflects your qualifications:

A. I possess a degree bachelor's degree in agronomy (or expect to obtain a degree within 120 days from the closing date of this announcement); 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.

B. I possess a combination of education and experience of at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

C. None of the above.

2. Select one response from the choices shown below that reflects your experience and/or education to qualify for the GS-7 grade level. You are to respond to the questions based upon such experience or education which is directly related to the requirements of the position. Do not answer positively to a question unless you are able to provide specific examples and/or documentation to support the level of experience or education you are claiming.

A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level or higher in the Federal service (or private sector equivalent). For this position, examples of specialized experience include: demonstrating experience and knowledge of agronomy, hydrology, biology, soils, and practical engineering techniques and other natural resource conservation principles, methods and techniques; concepts, principles, and practices applicable to soil health, crop science and soil science while meeting deadlines and priorities in which any deviations or problems are referred to the supervisor.

B. I possess superior academic achievement (i.e., upper third of graduating class, 3.0 or greater GPA overall or 3.5 or greater GPA within Major, or honor society membership).

C. I possess one year of graduate level education in agronomy; or related discipline of science.

D. I possess 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.

E. I have none of the above at this time.

3. Select one response from the choices shown below that reflects your experience and/or education to qualify for the GS-9 grade level. You are to respond to the questions based upon such experience or education which is directly related to the requirements of the position. Do not answer positively to a question unless you are able to provide specific examples and/or documentation to support the level of experience or education you are claiming.

A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in the Federal service (or private sector equivalent). For this position, examples of specialized experience include advanced-trainee level experience such as: providing technical guidance and direct assistance to personnel and producers to carry out natural resource's conservation planning and application for agronomic practices; solve complex agronomic problems on individual farms or group projects; and assist with vegetative and management practices to secure a balanced program of soil and moisture conservation, and assists in the development of resource management systems.

B. I possess at least 2 year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in soil conservation, agronomy, or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering.

C. I possess 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.

D. I do not possess the required experience/education as described above.

4. Manage pests, weeds, insects, diseases, animals, and other organisms that directly or indirectly cause crop damage.

A. I have neither experience nor demonstrated capability in the performance of this task. I am unfamiliar with its performance.

B. I have limited experience or am generally familiar with the subject matter of this task, but would require additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform it well without supervision.

C. I have performed this task independently on an occasional or irregular basis following existing guidelines or precedents.

D. I have regularly and routinely performed this task independently and effectively in conventional settings where established guidelines, practices, and precedents were available.