Natural Resource Specialist (Business Tools Coordinator)
at Natural Resources Conservation Service in Salina, Kansas, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is located on the staff of the Assistant State Conservationist for Technology in a State Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS ), U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ). The primary purpose of the position is to serve as the Conservation Business Tools Coordinator with responsibility to provide leadership, technology development, technology transfer, and technical assistance for use of the NRCS business tools in the state. Responsibilities Provide technical leadership for core Business Tools including Conservation Desktop, Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool, Farmers.gov and related extensions, and other related applications. Provides support and guidance to field, area, and state staff for common GIS applications and tasks. Work closely with state and area specialists and conservation partner leaders to determine the most efficient methods for implementation of technology tools. Coordinates with other state technical staff to further the development of, use for, and access to natural resource data including soil survey geodatabases, GIS , and other tools and models, elevation data, and equipment. Adapts, modifies, and extends conventional manual and electronic procedures, tools, scripts, and applications to improve and enhance data collection, data capture, and finished map products. Trains staff throughout the State in the use of hardware, software, NRCS Business Tools, and other data collection and management devices. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade ( TIG ) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled (e.g., one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level; and one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: Bachelor’s degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: Utilizing technical tools, systems, and databases (such as Geographic Information Systems) and other business tools in support of conservation activities; Providing technical support and training to others on the use of electronic business tools related to conservation planning and implementation. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: You must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: Utilizing technical tools, systems, and databases (such as Geographic Information Systems) and other business tools in support of conservation activities; Providing leadership, technology development, technology transfer, and technical assistance for use of business tools that support conservation activities; Providing training on automated electronic business tools related to conservation planning and implementation. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Professional and Scientific Positions. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan ( CTAP ) or Reemployment Priority List ( RPL ): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP / RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Physical Demands: The work is mostly sedentary. Operation of a computer keyboard and mouse for lengthy periods is required. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as books, small equipment, and driving an automobile. Field w
To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account