Soil Conservationist (District Conservationist)
Natural Resources Conservation Service · Department of Agriculture
This job in plain English
This is a District Conservationist job with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Champaign, Illinois. The job supervises federal staff and leads conservation planning with landowners, conservation districts, and partners. It is one full-time, permanent vacancy with occasional travel, and a recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
- Displaced federal employeesFederal employees who lost or are losing their job through a reduction in force (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.
Open to the public, but you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, or owe allegiance to the U.S. Veterans' preference applies if you qualify.
What you would do
- Supervise federal employees and review their work
- Plan and manage conservation systems on private lands
- Explain conservation and Farm Bill programs to landowners
- Lead conservation planning with districts, tribes, and partners
- Design, inspect, and certify conservation practices with landowners
Do you qualify for GS-12?
With experience: You need at least 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or higher in federal service, or comparable experience outside federal service. The experience must include soil and water conservation principles and identifying conservation problems, such as directing technical help to landowners or preparing complex conservation plans.
With education: A degree in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource field can qualify you. The study must include at least 30 semester hours in such a field, including at least 12 semester hours in soils and crops or plant science (minimum 3 in soils and 3 in crops or plant science). Education cannot replace experience at this grade.
Licenses and certifications you need:
- Valid state motor vehicle operator's license
- Conservation Planning Certification (you must obtain it)
How to apply well
What to send:
- Resume, no more than 2 pages, showing dates, hours per week, and duties for each job
- College transcripts if you qualify through education (unofficial copies are fine at first; official ones are needed before starting)
- Course syllabus or detailed course description for unclear course titles
- DD-214 if claiming veterans' preference
- SF-15 for 10-point veterans' preference (recommended, not required)
- Proof of eligibility and SF-50 if applying under CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP
How you will be rated: Applicants are placed in Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified categories based on their application materials, questionnaire, and USA Hire assessments. You must meet the assessment cut score to be considered. Overstating your experience or cheating on an assessment can get you removed.
Tips for this job:
- Show dates, hours per week, and duties for each past job on your resume, and keep it to 2 pages or less.
- If you use education to qualify, list course numbers, titles, credit hours, and grades on your transcript.
- Plan time for the USA Hire assessments, which have a cut score you must meet to be considered.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time
Incentives and relocation: A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered, up to 25% for a four-year service agreement. Relocation expenses may be reimbursed as allowed by federal travel rules.
Conditions of employment:
- U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959, or exempt
- Background investigation and/or fingerprint check
- 1-year probationary period
- 1-year supervisory probationary period
- Direct deposit of federal pay required
- Must pass E-Verify employment check
- Walk extensively over rough terrain and climb steep banks
- Work in adverse weather, near farm machinery, and possible exposure to chemicals and insects
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $89,508 – $116,362 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- GS-12 · General Schedule
- Location
- Champaign, Illinois
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Competitive
- Openings
- 1
- Security clearance
- Other
- Travel
- Occasional travel
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- Soil Conservation (0457)
- Announcement
- NRCS-27-13102481-DE-IL-KR
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