Soil Conservationist

**Duties**:

- Administers and conducts Plant Materials Center (PMC) studies and activities to support plant materials agronomic plant and vegetative technology testing program.
- Develops study plans, designs appropriate tests and experiments, maintains and monitors plantings, collects and analyses quantitative data, interprets results, and assembles and transfers results of information to customers.
- Assists with preparation of the Plant Materials Center annual reports and other special reports covering results of work accomplished.
- Prepares and delivers plant materials training sessions. Provides current research-based information to external and internal customers.
- Provides training to field staff in the areas of conservation planning, agronomic practice benefits, water quality, nutrient and pest management, pasture management, plant science, residue management, tillage, cover crops, conservation buffers, etc.
- Assists in developing a long-range program plan and an annual business plan to incorporate actions to address concerns identified at the state and regional level.

**Requirements**:
**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.
- 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.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Must obtain a State pesticide applicator’s permit/license within one year of entrance on duty for the position.
- 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.
- The incumbent may be required to operate all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV), forklifts, motorized watercraft, and other specialized equipment depending on the needs of the PMC.
- Must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class A or B, within one year of employment if applicable for the vehicles to be operated, within one year from entrance on duty for the position.

**Qualifications**:

- Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- **0471 Basic Education Requirement**:

- **Graduate Education**:Agronomy, or one of the related disciplines or fields of science, such as plant physiology, soils, or genetics, where the curriculum or pattern of training placed major emphasis on field crops or agronomy. Graduate study in related fields, such as botany, plant pathology, and biochemistry may also be qualifying, _provided_ it placed a sufficient amount of emphasis on agronomy.- ** 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.
- **Evaluation of Education**:Education that provided specialized knowledge and skills in soil and water conservation is more valuable than education that imparted broad but general knowledge and skills. Courses in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil genesis, plant physiology, plant science, and field crops are examples of specialized courses that contribute towards meeting the required 12 semester hours as described above. Courses in the physical sciences or engineering such as geology, civil engineering, and hydrology also meet the soils, crops, or plant science course requirements where such courses included a complete introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.- **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 GS-9**:
To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-07 level or higher, that has equipped you