Agronomist

SummaryThe incumbent serves as a Conservation Agronomist in the assigned State. The position serves as a Specialist in the States Plant Materials Center developing plant science technology to assist NRCS field offices in conservation of natural resources and farm bill programs. The incumbent is supervised by the PMC Manager. Learn more about this agency Help DutiesProvide technical leadership and assistance in agronomic, precision agriculture, and soil health to individual land users or groups of land users.Assess and evaluate soil and water resource management problems and farming practices on individual or multiple tracts of land in the assigned area.Evaluate effectiveness of agronomic practices, identify technical problems and/or deficiencies, recommend improvements, and motivate landowners to implement and maintain sound conservation management systems.Assist with vegetative and management practices to secure a balanced program of soil and moisture conservation.Promote conservation tillage, cover crops, crop rotations, and nutrient and pest management through tours, conferences, and direct assistance to field office personnel and producers.Assist in conducting on-the-job and formal training in agronomy to internal and external customers, providing information to field offices on agronomic techniques for inventorying, analyzing, and selecting treatment alternatives. Help RequirementsConditions of EmploymentYou must be a US Citizen or US National.Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.QualificationsBasic Education Requirement: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.ORCombination 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 in A 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:GS-09 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-9 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience includes knowledge of the principles and theories of agronomy, plant science, crop science, and grazing land usage in identifying agronomic solutions for resource conservation related problems. Examples of specialized experience include:Conducting plant material study plans; 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; and preparing and delivering plant materials training sessions.ORSubstitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in Agronomy, or one of the related disciplines or fields of science, such as plant physiology, soils, or genetics, where the curriculum or pattern of training placed major emphasis on field crops or agronomy. Graduate study in related fields, such as botany, plant pathology, and biochemistry may also be qualifying, provided it placed a sufficient amount of emphasis on agronomy.ORCombination 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.GS-11 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the 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. This experience includes knowledge of the principles and theories of agronomy, plant science, crop science, and grazing land usage in identifying agronomic solutions for resource conservation related problems. Examples of specialized experience include:Administering and conducting studies to address plant materials-agronomic plant and vegetative technology; providing plant science solutions, information, and technology to field staff and others; addressing water quality concerns, erosion issues on cropland and critical areas; and improving forage production on pasture and rangeland.ORSubstitution 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 soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, agricultural engineering or related discipline;ORCombination 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.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.EducationYou must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement.Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to conservation work. such as walking on rough terrain, jumping ditches and furrows, or climbing steep banks, as well as work in an office setting and utilizing computers.Work Environment: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to conservation work. such as walking on rough terrain, jumping ditches and furrows, or climbing steep banks as well as work in an office setting.PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following:If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted.If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline.This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.Read more Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.Natural Resources Conservation Service1400 Independence Ave SWWashington, DC 20250US