- Position Title
- Soil Conservation Technician
- Agency
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Announcement Number
- NRCS-23-12071703-DE-SER-MM Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, August 2, 2023 to Monday, August 14, 2023
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 location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 5 location(s).
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
3.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
4.
From the locations listed above that you have selected, please enter your choices in priority order in relation to the five locations you have selected (Spell out locations). Please do not list any locations outside of the five locations you have indicated above. Additional locations, within the states selected, may be negotiated during the interview phase. The link provided here will pull up the established office locations in each state. This flexibility will be utilized, and you are encouraged to share these location preferences during the time of interview: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center?state=05&county=001
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 at the GS-04 level.
2.
From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Soil Conservation Technician at the GS-05 level.
3.
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.
4.
Assist landowners with the planning and application of conservation practices to protect natural resources on their property.
5.
Provide technical support to conservationists in natural resource planning and installation of a variety of conservation practices.
6.
Review conservation plans with landowners and schedules on-site assistance.
7.
Advise landowners on the effectiveness of applying soil and water conservation practices.
8.
Analyze aerial photographs and soil maps to identify land attributes such as soil types, land uses, field numbers, acreage, and hydrology calculations.
9.
Prepare field sketches and drawings of planned and installed conservation practices.
10.
Gather preliminary resource data on the physical features of agricultural and other natural resource sites (e.g. soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, sedimentation, and other natural resources) to be used in conservation planning.
11.
Provide information to farmers, ranchers, and other rural residents on the kinds of conservation assistance that are available to them.
12.
Advise landowners on need to apply sound soil and water conservation practices to solve resource problems identified by landowners in applying conservation practices.
13.
Explain cost-share payment procedures to farmers, ranchers and other landowners.
14.
Provide planning information to landowners and other partners for development of assigned natural resource projects.
15.
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.