Job Summary

The incumbent will provide plant science solutions to water quality concerns, control erosion on cropland and critical areas, improve forage production and quality on pasture and rangelands, and improve wildlife habitat. This is accomplished by evaluating promising plant species and vegetative technologies and providing plant related information to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field staff to support conservation planning for their clients.

Major Duties

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: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-7 grade level for consideration for the GS-9 grade level). BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR AGRONOMIST 0471: Degree: Agronomy or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management. OR Combination of education and experience: At least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR SOIL CONSERVATIONIST 0457:

Degree: Soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. The study must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science. OR Combination of education and experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines as shown above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must have been in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, all applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications: Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-7 level or higher, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, examples of specialized experience include: Administering and conducting plant material study plants; Designing tests and experiments, establishing plots, maintaining and monitoring plantings; Coordinating studies and activities to support a plant materials-agronomic plant and vegetative technology testing program; Preparing and delivering plant materials training sessions. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: You must have 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in soil conservation, agronomy, or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. 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. 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.

Pay Range

$53,183.00 - $69,139.00

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