Biologist (Wetlands Specialist)

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

The incumbent performs duties which assist in carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program tailored to customers' needs. The incumbent serves the wetland compliance team under the supervision of the ASTC-Compliance, providing direct assistance to Field Offices and customers related to wetland and HEL determinations, and works with District, Area and State Office staff.

Major Duties

  • Provides assistance to producers and field offices on wetland conservation activities associated with the Swamp buster provisions of the Food. Security Act, as amended.
  • Gathers the necessary data and works in the field with producers and other NRCS personnel to conduct on-site investigations for wetland determinations.
  • Services requests for reconsideration of determinations issued, with guidance from senior staff.
  • Maintains liaison with other NRCS specialists regarding wetland related activities.
  • Develops and maintain effective working relationships with partners such as Conservation Districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Works individually and as a member of a team to develop and implement ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the products and services provided to internal and external customers.
  • Assists with the safety program of the field or area office as assigned. Complies with safety requirements as outlined in national and state policies.

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement:

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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-07 level, applicants must possess at least one full year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience: 1. Working in completing wetland determinations; and 2. Assisting with field determinations, including observing the digging of observation pits, observing the describing soils, observing the collection of vegetation data and observing the assessment of hydrology indicators. OR Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: 1 year of graduate-level education related to this position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: an equivalent combination of experience and education as described above (the total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify). OR Superior Academic Achievement in a bachelor's degree curriculum directly related to the work of the position. To qualify for superior academic achievement, you must have ONE of the following: Standing in the upper third of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; Grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed in a related discipline, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR Election to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Society; Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-09 level, applicants must possess at least one full year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience: 1. Working independently issuing highly erodible land determinations; 2. Completing wetland determinations with the respective level of JAA to complete the task independently; and 3. Conducting field determinations, including the digging of observation pits, the describing of soils, the collection of vegetation data and the assessment of hydrology indicators. OR Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent degree directly related to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: an equivalent combination of experience and education as described above (the total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify). For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROFExperience 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.

Pay Range

$42,053.00 - $66,868.00

More information...

End Date: 

Wednesday, October 30, 2019