Position Summary:
The incumbent serves as a District Conservationist assisting the Conservation Districts within the managerial unit, consisting of one or more counties or districts, in the development of a comprehensive natural resources conservation program. Performs expert professional duties to achieve an integrated system of sound land use and conservation treatment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the overall management of agricultural resources, formulation and implementation of soil and water conservation plans for all outgrants, and providing guidance and assistance to landowner to implement their selected alternative(s).
- Independently provides leadership with conservation planning of natural resources and other activities in cooperation with the Conservation District, tribes, and conservation partners to address resource concerns on private lands.
- Sets performance standards and evaluates performance for subordinates.
- Management, operation and maintenance of the planned conservation system and practices according to the Field Office Technical Guide standards and specifications as well as comply with all federal, state and local regulations.
- Coordinates interagency delivery of conservation assistance to private landowners and others to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the state’s natural resources.
- Partners with other conservation entities 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.
- Informs and educates the landowner of conservation technical assistance and financial assistance to consider for conservation system and practice implementation. This includes oversight, management and administration for Farm Bill programs.
- Works in collaboration with landowner to provide detailed conservation system and practice implementation including conservation practice design, layout, construction, inspection and certification.
- Responsible for supervision of federal employees located in multiple field offices and liaison between state and district employees.
- Independently ensure quality and quantity of work, review work of subordinates and accept, revise, or reject work.
Required Education & Experience:
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- 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.
- 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.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain Conservation Planning Level certification.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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/.