Position Summary:
The incumbent serves as a District Conservationist assisting the Conservation Districts within the managerial unit, consisting of at least one county or district, in the development of a comprehensive conservation program. The incumbent performs professional duties to achieve an integrated system of sound land use and conservation treatment in harmony with the capability and needs of the land and landowner.
Key Responsibilities:
- Informs and educates the landowner of conservation technical assistance and financial assistance to consider for conservation system and practice implementation.
- Executes oversight, management and administration for all farm bill programs in accordance with the Conservation Program Manual.
- Responsible for supervision of federal employees located in multiple field office(s) and liaison between state and district employees.
- Reviews work of subordinates. Sets performance standards and evaluates performance for subordinates.
- Independently provides leadership with conservation planning of natural resources and other activities in cooperation with the Conservation District, tribes, local, state, and federal conservation partners to address resource concerns.
- Leads a coordinated interagency delivery of conservation assistance to private landowners and others to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the state’s natural resources.
- Responsible for overall management of agricultural resources, the formulation and implementation of soil and water conservation plans for customers , and providing guidance and assistance to the landowner to implement their selected alternatives.
- Partners with the state conservation partnership to provide long-term commitment to the local, state and federal government conservation delivery system to help private landowners, communities and others conserve natural resources within the state.
Required Education & Experience:
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Incumbent is required to obtain Conservation Planning Level certification.
- Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
- 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 comparable to a 4 year degree. 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.
- 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/.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- 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.
- Experience that included the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields is appropriate, given the interdisciplinary character of the soil conservation occupation. For example, experience gained in a specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work.
- 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.