- Position Title
- Soil Conservationist
- Agency
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Announcement Number
- NRCS-23-12101067-MP-CA-NB Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, August 31, 2023 to Friday, September 29, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
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 location(s) 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.
3.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Assessment 1
INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the following questions. 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-457 series. Please read all responses prior to making your selection, then select the answer that accurately reflects your qualifications:
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience working with customers to understand their needs and objectives.
5.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience providing and ensuring the quality of products and services.
6.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience providing support to colleagues or clients during the process of conservation planning.
7.
Check all of the following programs in which you have experience administering contracts for USDA Financial Assistance programs covering:
8.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience checking work to ensure it is accurate, thorough, and meets applicable policies, standards/specifications, or other guidelines.
9.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience helping clients with financial assistance needs.
10.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience identifying improvements during reviews or follow-ups.
11.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience using oral communication to ensure others' understanding of information.
12.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience developing plans for the completion of work.
13.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience preparing written materials.
14.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience following up with clients about their conservation practices.
15.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience identifying alternatives to assist a client in the process of making conservation planning decisions.
16.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience training or guiding others on how to identify resource concerns.
17.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience providing technical assistance needed in applying planned engineering practices common to area according to practice standards and specifications.
18.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience providing assistance with the implementation of management practices.
19.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience providing assistance in applying vegetative practices on grazing lands.
20.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience utilizing the Toolkit software and the associated ArcMap software.
21.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience utilizing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology.
22.
I have utilized automated systems (e.g. ProTracts or equivalent) to manage USDA financial assistance programs covering:
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.