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Summary This position is located in the Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) state office, in Illinois. The NRCS mission is to provide resources to farmers and landowners to aid them with conservation. The primary purpose of the position is to provide leadership for the technical quality of the agronomic program throughout the State as the State Soil Health Specialist. Responsibilities Provides technical leadership on agronomic phases of the conservation programs and assists on other vegetative and management practices; formulates and recommends policies and procedures with respect to assigned agronomic work. Develops 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 applications. Provides guidance and training to field staff on soil erosion and other agronomic principles through use of tools and models. Assists with educational and information activities needed to further the agronomic, soil, and plant management phases of the soil and water conservation program. Represents the agency by collaborating with Agricultural Experiment Stations, Universities, the Agricultural Research Service, and other agencies in developing techniques, standards, and recommendations for treatment and use of agricultural lands. Leads the state in providing soil health training to NRCS staff, partner staff and producers. Coordinates the overall state soil health plan. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. 0471 Basic 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; 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. 0457 Basic Education Requirement: 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. 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 to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service, that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, 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; 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, soil erosion, sedimentation, and certified nutrient management plans; Expertise in the use of agronomy technology transfer tools Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. 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-PROF 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. Education If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You 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. Physical Demands: The employee's work is mostly sedentary with occasional field work. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as books or small equipment. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The employee may operate a motor vehicle. Work Environment: The work includes everyday risks and discomforts typical of offices and meeting rooms that are adequately climate- controlled and ventilated. Occasional field work or site visits may occur. 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. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.