Soil Conservation Technician

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying:

GS-06
Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:

• Assisting staff with conservation planning by collecting and interpreting soil survey data;
• Recording field notes to assist with tentative designs based on standard designs for review and approval; and
• Informing landowners of available conservation programs and requirements to participate in agency sponsored activities.

OR

Education: At least one full year of graduate level education in a field of study directly related to soil and water conservation. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR

Combination: You must have a percentage of the education and experience which when combined totals 100% of the necessary education and experience to qualify for this position. When combining education with experience, first determine total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required; then determine experience as a percentage of the experience required; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (You must submit transcripts.)

GS-07
Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:

• Assisting staff with conservation planning by collecting and interpreting soil survey data;
• Recording field notes and preparing tentative designs based on standard designs for review and approval;
• Meeting with landowners or operators to review conservation plans; and
• Assisting landowners with conservation applications or maintenance of conservation practices.

OR

Education: At least one full year of graduate level education in a field of study directly related to soil and water conservation. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR

Combination: You must have a percentage of the education and experience which when combined totals 100% of the necessary education and experience to qualify for this position. When combining education with experience, first determine total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required; then determine experience as a percentage of the experience required; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (You must submit transcripts.)

GS-08
Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:

• Gathering planning data on rural and/or urban sites such as soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, and sedimentation;
• Preparing natural resource conservation plans based on soil survey information and previous planning information;
• Utilizing survey tools and planning software to provide technical assistance to conservation planners;
• Collaborating with landowners on aspects of conservations plans, such as reviewing plans, explaining cost-sharing payments, and assisting with applications; and
• Conducting proposed site visits to perform surveys and layout work for designs.

OR

Education: At least two full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree in a field of study directly related to soil and water conservation. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR

Combination: You must have a percentage of the education and experience which when combined totals 100% of the necessary education and experience to qualify for this position. When combining education with experience, first determine total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required; then determine experience as a percentage of the experience required; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (You must submit transcripts.)

(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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.

The OPM Qualification Standards for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series