Position Summary:
The incumbent assists the Conservation District(s) (CD) within the managerial unit, consisting of one or more counties or districts, in the development of a comprehensive natural resources conservation program. The incumbent performs expert 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:
- 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.
- Independently ensures quality and quantity of work, reviews work of subordinates and accepts, revises, or rejects work. Sets performance standards and evaluates performance for subordinates.
- Serves as a Soil Conservationist responsible for the overall management of agricultural resources, the formulation and implementation of soil and water conservation plans and the management of federally funded contracts for all Farm Bill Programs.
- Independently provides leadership with conservation planning of natural resources and other activities in cooperation with the Conservation District, tribes, and local, state, and federal conservation partners addressing concerns with private lands.
- Executes oversight, management and administration for all farm bill programs in accordance with the Conservation Program Manual.
- Works in collaboration with landowner to provide detailed conservation system and practice implementation including conservation practice design, layout, construction, inspection and certification, management.
Required Education & Experience:
- 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;
- Direct Deposit ? Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- 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 certification as a Conservation Planner.
- 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.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- 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.