Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
SOIL CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
NRCS-24-12464039-DE-MN-LK Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, September 3, 2024 to Tuesday, September 17, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
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?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Interdisciplinary Soil Conservation Technician with Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS). Please 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.) (limit characters)
1. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Soil Conservation Technician at the GS-04 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. (limit characters)
2. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Soil Conservation Technician at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. (limit characters)
3. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Soil Conservation Technician at the GS-06 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
4. Provide technical support to conservation planners by using geographic information systems (GIS) tools to collect data for land use projects.
(limit characters)
5. Compile data collected from rural and/or urban sites, including physical features such as soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, and/or sedimentation to develop soil conservation plans.
(limit characters)
6. Prepare draft survey designs with collected from work sites.
(limit characters)
7. Provide information to farmers, ranchers, and other rural residents on the various types of conservation planning assistance that may be available through NRCS and other USDA agencies.
(limit characters)
8. Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems.
(limit characters)
9. Communicate the results of various field experiments to develop new or improved methods for soil conservation.
(limit characters)
10. Provide follow-up inspections of proposed sites to verify conservation plans adhere to the agency standards and guidelines.
(limit characters)
11. Conduct meetings with stakeholders to discuss proposed conservation plans and/or follow-up processes.
(limit characters)
12. 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.
(limit characters)
13. Prepare field sketches and drawings of planned and installed conservation practices.
(limit characters)
14. Communicate agency processes and practices to the public or agency workshops.
(limit characters)
15. Review conservation plans with landowners and schedules on-site assistance.
(limit characters)
16. 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. (limit characters)