Natural Resources Specialist

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

Applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for the 0401 Series as described below:

Degree: 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.

AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. The experience need not have been in the federal government.

Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience includes all the following:

• Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, executive orders, or policies related to environmental planning or historic preservation such as, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, or other related laws and requirements to ensure agency compliance.
• Leading, directing, or supporting the preparation of environmental documents such as Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusions, mitigation plans, and Records of Decision.
• Providing technical guidance, advising on federal policy, laws, regulations, and directives related to the NEPA process and completing outreach activities with other Federal or State organizations, tribes, or the public.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is physically undemanding in the office, but the position will require varying amounts of overnight travel estimated at 2 to 10 nights per month. Occasional outdoor field work or monitoring may be required, during which extra hours may be worked and rough terrain encountered. The work is often characterized by problem-solving, tight deadlines, and controversy which may be somewhat stressful.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is typically performed in an office setting with occasional field work required which may expose the employee to adverse weather or high temperatures. Computer work may be required in the field depending on the project, resulting in the need to remotely connect with the main network at the designated duty station. This position requires a valid driver's license.