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Summary This position is located at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office and is supervised by the Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. The incumbent serves as the Cost Share Program Specialist for the following programs: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); Soil and Water Conservation Assistance Program (SWCA); Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP); and Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Responsibilities Serves as the financial assistance program specialist for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP); Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP); Conservation Security Program (CSP); Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP). Provides independent leadership to assist the Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. Provides leadership in statewide quality assurance activities related to NRCS programs with emphasis to financial assistance and the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)programs. Provides expert operation and maintenance of the NRCS ProTracts system for tracking assigned program applications, eligibility, obligations, and fund integrity. Provides direct assistance, training and policy/program interpretation to Zone and Field Office NRCS and partner agency staff. Maintains and updates NRCS agency manuals, handbooks, amendments, bulletins and other supporting policy related to the EQIP, WHIP, CSP, AWEP, and CIG programs. Work with and assist state, zone, field, Technical Service Providers (TSPs), and partner staffs with all aspects of the above cost share programs. 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. Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level). 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 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. 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-13 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-12 level or comparable experience not gained through federal service that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of this experience may include: Implementing cost share programs; Developing materials to support program implementation (cost lists, ranking criteria, program descriptions, assessment tools, payment schedules, etc.); Providing guidance and training of programs. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 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=Group-Standards 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 You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). 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. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. 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. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. 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. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP 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 applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Physical Demands: The position requires both sedentary works usually performed in an office setting, and moderate physical exertion usually associated with outside fieldwork including studies. The incumbent is required to visit field sites where extensive walking on rough terrain, contact with livestock, moderate climbing (including over fences), bending, lifting, carrying moderately heavy objects, and being outdoors in all types of weather. Office work includes the use of a computer and other office equipment, with physical demands typical of an office setting. The position requires driving and use of vehicle transportation. Safety precautions must be observed in the office and field to carry out work in a safe manner. Use of safety equipment may be required on some field construction sites. Work Environment: The work is performed in both an office and field environment. Field visits are made to project locations to meet with clients and inventory and evaluate rangeland resources. Adverse weather conditions and unimproved roads are often encountered during field visits, which exposes the incumbent to unpredictable and dangerous situations and requires the use of special protective equipment. Office work includes the use of a computer for extended periods of time. Evening work and overnight travel are occasionally required. 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.