Natural Resources Specialist

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year trial 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.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
• This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Duty Location may change based upon training needs or upon conversion to competitive service.

Qualifications

(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.)

Basic Requirements:

For the GS-05 level: Applicants who meet one of the Basic Requirements listed below qualify for the GS-05 grade level.

• Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Note: For a degree in a related discipline to be acceptable for consideration, it must include 24 semester hours in subject areas described above.

GS-7 Grade Level: In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position:

• Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include experience that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, examples of specialized experience include: conducting studies using fact-finding and evaluation techniques; analyzing data associated with environmental studies.
• OR Superior academic achievement in a bachelor's degree curriculum directly related to the work of the position. To qualify for superior academic achievement, you must have ONE of the following: (1) standing in the upper third of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; (2) grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed in a related discipline, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR (4) election to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Society;
• OR Education Substitution: Successful completion of one (1) year of graduate-level education in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering;
• OR Possess 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-9 Grade Level: In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position:

• Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include experience that has equipped you with the necessary competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position examples of specialized experience include: conducting scientific studies of land management and natural resources programs using fact-finding and evaluation techniques; analyzing data associated with environmental studies; developing informational/educational programs, flyers, or handouts to inform the general public on conservation efforts of an organization;
• OR Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: Successful completion of two (2) full years of progressively high graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
• OR 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.