Natural Resources Specialist (GIS Specialist)

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

Serves as the State Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist for NRCS with state-wide responsibility for all GIS activities, including the Natural Resource Inventory (NRI). The incumbent is responsible for managing the GIS program and providing GIS training to NRCS employees in the state.

Major Duties

  • Serves as the technical expert on GIS applications and information support needs. Manages, develops, coordinates, and integrates GIS and GPS technologies to conduct efficient resource analysis.
  • Analyzes and interprets natural resource information and makes recommendations on findings for use by interdisciplinary planning teams and for individual resource professional.
  • Acquires, coordinates, and maintains natural resource and land management data. Integrates databases, applications, and software interfaces to meet resource management needs.
  • Ensures quality control of data, data standards, databases, data dictionary, applications, and computer models use in compliance with state and NRCS standards and practices.
  • Trains NRCS personnel on application use, software systems, and data management policies, practices, and procedures.
  • Trains partners and interested publics on the use of GIS for implementing conservation plans and integration of NRCS tools and services.

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. 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 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. The specialized experience includes developing and coordinating GIS technologies for use in resource conservation planning; providing GIS development, support and training to user within the natural resources conservation field; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management or related discipline; 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 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. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience managing the acquisition, evaluation and delivery of a wide range of geospatial information to meet resource conservation program needs; developing and implementing policies or procedures regarding use and maintenance of geospatial data; and developing and implementing training and delivery of GIS products, services and applications to support resource conservation program needs. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. 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 above. Time in grade: Applicants must have one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). 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

$64,009.00 - $99,741.00

More information...

End Date: 

Friday, January 31, 2020