Soil Conservationist / Agronomist (Interdisciplinary)

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

This position provides technical leadership throughout the state on agronomic phases of conservation practices and assists on other vegetative and management practices needed to secure a balanced program of soil and water conservation.

Major Duties

  • Provides technical leadership on soil health management systems in agricultural working lands and assists on other vegetative and management practices.
  • Formulates and recommends policies and procedures with respect to soil health management systems.
  • Develops agronomic and soil health related techniques and standards.
  • Provides leaderships for overall soil health efforts in Illinois.
  • Provides guidance and training to field staff on soil health, erosion, pesticide mitigation, and other agronomic principles.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR SOIL CONSERVATIONIST:

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR AGRONOMIST:

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. 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 the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in complexity to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: assisting in the development of agronomic techniques and standards for carrying out a program to improve soil structure and fertility, replenish and maintain supplies of organic matter, and secure proper application of irrigation water, nutrient management, and integrated pest management/pest management; collaborating in developing improved irrigated and dry land pasture mixtures; applying knowledge of applicable research data to field problems; providing input on the analysis of difficult and complex agronomic problems; providing technical guidance and assistance on topics such as soil interpretations, and plant, crop and soil management; communicating and sharing general information and explaining general issues related to natural resources conservation problems and solutions. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. 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

$76,721.00 - $99,741.00

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End Date: 

Monday, March 16, 2020