OPM Pathways Program

Duties

Agronomy is the science of crop production and soil management. Natural Resources Conservation Service Agronomists assist in developing and implementing a conservation plan to conserve soil, plants, water, air, energy, and wildlife.

As an Agronomist, you will work with agricultural producers to offer conservation solutions to address environmental resource concerns while balancing farm sustainability.  You will utilize available reference and resource materials such as soil survey maps and aerial imagery to assess the existing conditions prior to an on-site visit with the customer to identify natural resource concerns and the customers' objectives. 

YouTube video: Conservation Cover Crop Rotation

Qualifications

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.­­­­

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Duties

As an NRCS biologist you’ll spend most of your time on-site working with private landowners, other agencies, and units of government. You’ll provide technical support and advice on fish and wildlife habitat development or restoration. You’ll suggest ways to manage fish and wildlife populations, restore streams and wetlands, and improve habitat.

YouTube video: Windbreak Shelterbelt Establishment

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science, Agriculture, Natural Resources, or
related disciplines including:

• 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects such as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in wildlife biology
• 12 semester hours in general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or related research courses
• 9 semester hours in botany or related plant sciences.

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Duties

Civil Engineering Technicians work directly with farmers, ranchers, foresters, other Agriculture producers and conservation partners. You’ll advise landowners about applying soil and water conservation practices. You’ll survey and design conservation practices, oversee their installation, and ensure they meet our quality standards. Your work is key to agency success, because your one-on-one time with producers result in on-the-ground practices that directly improve, conserve, or restore our natural resources. positions are responsible for the planning, design, and construction of engineering works of improvement for any conservation activities taken on by NRCS. These positions require the application of sound engineering principles. This includes adapting proven methods and procedures, as well as devising new design procedures incorporating the latest technological advances in conservation engineering.

YouTube video: Access Road

Qualifications

Knowledge of farm or ranch operations or work experience that makes you familiar with conservation practices such as installing and maintaining soil and water conservation measures on farms, ranches, or agricultural land. Experience in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agriculture engineering, agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agricultural education.

Knowledge of installing and maintaining conservation measures on public or privately-owned land including parks, shoreline, refuse waste sites, dams and reservoir areas, water and sewer sites, road embankments, forests, and wildlife habitats.

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Duties

As a Cultural Resource Specialist (CRS), you will be an integral part of our work at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CRS staff are responsible for guidance and assistance regarding the conservation and protection of cultural resources in all NRCS programs and activities. Day-to-day work will include surveying and evaluating cultural sites, preparing reports and recommendations, managing projects, and consulting and working with tribal governments, local municipalities, state and university partners, and agricultural producers.

Qualifications

Education

A higher education degree in anthropology, history, Native American studies, or a related discipline, work as a professional archaeologist, and Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualifications may be required. However, a combination of undergraduate education and work experience may also be accepted for certain positions, or four years of archaeological work experience demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archaeology with preference given to those that have completed an archaeological field school.

For complete qualification criteria, please scan the following QR code 

 or, Visit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website.

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Duties

As an Economist, you will work with other technical specialists to develop methods and tools to estimate the economic and financial costs and benefits of conservation programs and special projects. You will compile specified economic information from a variety of available sources and conduct preliminary analyses using established procedures. You’ll collect and analyze data and information and provide advice and recommendations on critical resource problems to state leadership and others as appropriate. 

You’ll make routine preparation for statistical surveys, the tabulation and processing of data, routine research into primary and secondary sources, and the preparation of tables, etc. 

Your work may also train conservation planners on the costs and benefits of conservation practice implementation and how to integrate economics into conservation planning. 

Qualifications

Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. Experience in agricultural production systems is desired.

Or combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus, plus appropriate experience, or additional education.

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Duties

USDA employs many engineers with specialized skills in erosion control, water management, structural design, construction, hydraulics, soil mechanics, and environmental protection. We also employ those with general engineering skills. Your job assignments may include restoring streams, controlling erosion, developing water systems for livestock, improving and conserving irrigation water, or restoring wetlands. As an engineer, you will help solve a host of natural resource problems and may also become involved in helping communities recover from natural disasters.

YouTube video: Precision Land Forming
YouTube video: Grade Stabilization Structure

Qualifications

A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university.

To be acceptable, the program must: 

1. lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or 

2. include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: 

(a) statics, dynamics; 

(b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); 

(c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics;

(d) thermodynamics; 

(e) electrical fields and circuits; 

(f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and 

(g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Specialties include agricultural, environmental and civil engineering.

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Duties

Since 1985, Earth Team Volunteers have had an opportunity to benefit the soil, water, air, and wildlife through conservation work directly with Natural Resources Conservation Service employees and farmers, ranchers, and foresters. With over 2,500 offices nationwide, there are many opportunities at the field level for volunteers to provide a valued source of talent and enthusiasm, while also gaining office and field experience. Earth Team Volunteers specifically enjoy assisting customers, learning new skills, building relationships, and working to protect our lands. You can make a difference by joining our volunteer team!

YouTube video: Student Opportunities: NRCS Pathways Internship Program - Meet Brittany

Qualifications

Anyone 14 years and older can apply to volunteer. Many opportunities exist: full and part-time, outdoor and indoor, as an individual or part of a group. International volunteer opportunities also exist. We can use volunteers with office, speaking, education, training, conservation planning and implementation, snow survey, computer, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, clerical, photography, budget and contracting skills, and much more. There is something for everyone interested in protecting our natural resources for future generations.
 

Visit the NRCS Earth Team website to learn more.

Duties

A Forester provides technical assistance for conducting Forestry related resource assessments, development of conservation planning alternatives and participates in area-wide conservation and watershed planning activities, with responsibility for the development, planning, contracting, and application of the woodland resource management systems-based conservation planning principles. Additionally, the Forester, monitors programs and policies of Federal and State agencies on forestland use and management, including applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations to inform on potential conflicts or opportunities for collaboration with a focus on private landowners.

YouTube video: Forest Stand Improvement

YouTube video: Forest Trails and Landings

Qualifications

Degree: Forestry; Management of Renewable Resources; Forest Biology; Forest Resource Measurement and Inventory; or a related subject-matter field that included a total of at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours of course work was in forestry. 

The curriculum must have been sufficiently diversified to include examples of creditable courses in such areas as:  silviculture, forest management operations, timber management, wildland fire science or fire management, utilization of forest resources, forest regulation, recreational land management, watershed management, and wildlife or range habitat management, dendrology, forest ecology, silvics, forest genetics, wood structure and properties, forest soils, forest entomology, and forest pathology, forest biometrics, forest mensuration, forest valuation, statistical analysis of forest resource data, renewable natural resources inventories and analysis, and photogrammetry or remote sensing.

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Duties

As a geologist, you will support engineering and programs staff by performing geologic investigations to collect, compile, analyze and report data related to engineering properties of earth materials. You’ll use various subsurface investigation techniques to include drilling, test pits, piezometers, and geophysics to characterize a project site and show how those materials are distributed across the site both horizontally and vertically. You may use GPS, lidar, aerial photography, geographic information systems, and other programs and technology to assist with your work.

The data you collect from both background research and on-site investigations are used to create boring logs, engineering geology maps, groundwater maps, cross sections, graphs, tables, and reports including mineral assessment reports. This material is used to assist with siting, planning and design of conservation practices such as water wells, animal waste structures, and wetlands, for Emergency Watershed Protection projects, for siting of new dams and rehabilitation of existing dams. You’ll also be involved in writing and reviewing practices, policy, and guidance documents related to geology, and you’ll recommend engineering controls for issues related to groundwater protection, soil bearing capacity, slope instability, stream bank erosion and restoration, seismic hazards and more.

Qualifications

Degree: geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography.

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Duties

A Natural Resource Specialist implements a broad-based natural resources program for the agency.  As a Natural Resource Specialist, you will perform a variety of duties related to carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program to assist landowners in meeting their conservation objectives and the resource concern solution needs of NRCS and the USDA, which results in the enhancement of conservation program delivery with an impact that goes from farm to national communities.

You’ll use available reference materials to understand the existing conditions such as soil survey information, soil maps, review of aerial imagery to prepare for the on-site evaluation visit with the customer. You will assist the District Conservationist with the on-sties evaluations and discussion with the customer.  You will then assist in planning and evaluating the various natural resources to ensure proper consideration is given to resource conservation and protection measures. The solutions to the resource concerns of the conservation practices are linked to available program delivery for financial assistance. 

YouTube video: No Till

Qualifications

Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Or combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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Duties

As a Range Technician, you will provide technical assistance and support for conservation planning on rangelands to meet customer needs.  You will assist in designing conservation practices by performing rangeland assessments and inventories; monitoring and identifying critical and sensitive areas within the planning area; and assisting in developing grazing management plans, and overall grazing strategies for livestock operations.

YouTube video: Range Planting

Qualifications

Successful completion of 1 to 2 years of study that included at least 6 to 12 semester hours, respectively, in a combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), watershed management, soil science, forestry, wildlife management, civil engineering, outdoor recreation management, wildland fire science, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical science.

*Seasonal experience may also be creditable. A season of experience is considered a period of no less than 3 months of continuous employment on a seasonal basis. Shorter periods may be combined to make a season, provided a total of at least 3 months’ experience is shown. For any period where the work exceeded 3 months, the excess work is credited towards an additional season of experience. One season of experience is qualifying for GS-2; 2 seasons of experience qualify for GS-3; and 4 seasons of experience qualify for GS-4.  A bachelor’s degree is not necessarily required to qualify.

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Duties

NRCS Rangeland Management Specialists plan grazing systems that improve forage quality and other grazing land functions. You’ll suggest ways to use grazing animals to improve and sustain natural resources. You’ll offer advice on water management, invasive species control, and sustainable forage production. Whether landowners want to use their lands to support livestock, wildlife, recreation, or a combination of these, you’ll tailor conservation plans to help landowners meet their goals.

YouTube video: NRCS Rangeland Management Recruitment Video - Your Field. Your World. Your Future.

Qualifications

A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in range management or a related discipline from an accredited college or university. To be acceptable, the program must have included: 

(1) at least 42 semester hours in a combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences and natural resource management, with at least 18 semester hours in range management including courses in such areas as basic principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, range inventories and studies, range improvements, and ranch or rangeland planning; 

(2) at least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal, and soil sciences, including at least 1 hour in each of these three scientific areas in courses in such as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, animal nutrition, livestock production, and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable; and (3)

(3) at least 9 semester hours of course work in related resource management subjects in subject areas such as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages, and outdoor recreation management.

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Duties

As a Soil Conservationist, most of your time is spent in the field working with farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other land users. You’ll offer conservation planning and technical help to everyone from family farmers to local government officials. 

You’ll suggest ways to help them conserve the soil, improve water quality, manage nutrients, restore wetlands, and protect and improve wildlife habitat. 

You’ll make presentations and demonstrate conservation to clubs and organizations and provide outreach for agency programs. You’ll assist in setting local conservation priorities and then help carry them out. And you’ll be able to see the results of your work on the land.

YouTube video: Agricultural Land Easement

Qualifications

A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree that includes a major field of study in soil conservation or a related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering from an accredited college or university. To be acceptable, the program must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semesters hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science of which three semester hours must be in soils and three semester hours in crops or plant science.

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Duties

Soil Conservation Technicians work directly with farmers, ranchers, and foresters. You’ll advise landowners about applying soil and water conservation practices. You’ll survey and design conservation practices, oversee their installation, and ensure they meet our quality standards. Your work is key to agency success, because your one-on-on time with producers result in on-the-ground practices that directly improve, conserve, or restore our natural resources.

YouTube video: Irrigation Pipeline

Qualifications

Knowledge of farm or ranch operations or work experience that makes you familiar with conservation practices such as installing and maintaining soil and water conservation measures on farms, ranches, or agricultural land. 

Knowledge of installing and maintaining conservation measures on public or privately-owned land including parks, shoreline, refuse waste sites, dams and reservoir areas, water and sewer sites, road embankments, forests, and wildlife habitats.

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Duties

As a Soil Scientist, you’ll map and classify soils. You’ll educate our employees, partners and customers about the principles of soil health management. You’ll use digital and satellite imagery to map soils and write descriptions. You’ll sample soils and evaluate their quality, and work with information on watersheds, water quality, and changes in land-use patterns. Your work will include scientific work in the investigation of soils, their management, and their adaptation for alternative uses. Such work requires knowledge of chemical, physical, mineralogical and biological properties and processes of the soils and their relations to climate, physiographic, and biological influences.

YouTube video: NRCS Soil Scientist Recruitment Video 2022

Qualifications

A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in soil science or a closely related discipline from an accredited college or university.

To be acceptable, the program must have included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.

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Duties

You will promote the benefits of soil health, soil testing, urban forestry, native planting, weed and pest control, irrigation, water conservation, and storm water retention to the communities you serve. You will identify and assess natural resource problems and concerns in urban agricultural operations, such as clean drinking water, food access, and housing issues.; then deliver and explain resource conservation plans and Farm Bill programs contracts and manage the application of the planned resource management system. 

YouTube video: High Tunnel

Qualifications

Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Or Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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