Summary About the Position: Serves as a natural resource management staff specialist for a major water resource project. Performs a variety of assignments involving all aspects of project operations including natural resources, recreation and dam safety. This announcement is for current, permanent Army employees that would like to be considered for a time-limited promotion, reassignment or change to lower grade. Responsibilities Participates in the development of various planning documents including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of natural resources. Provides project information to local, state and federal agencies and the visiting public through brochures, bulletin boards, news releases, telephone calls, and other written and oral correspondence. Meets with adjacent property owners, civic groups, conservation associations, school groups, cooperating groups, and other members of the public to explain programs, promote interest in activities, and explain management policies. Reviews plans proposed by others on government land and provides recommendations for modifications. Participates in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of project natural and cultural resources. Evaluates interpretive exhibits in the project visitor center and coordinates improvements and updates. Provides instruction and guidance to temporary or seasonal staff members. Enforces a public safety program for the project which includes surveillance, and maintenance of buoys, signs and fences. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Applying on Time-Limited Assignments In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Natural Resources Specialist: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Minimum Qualifications GS-07: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes patrolling project lands and/or waters in order to prevent unauthorized use, trespass, destruction of property, etc.; resolving complaints and/or grievances made by customers; and presenting interpretive programs such as slide shows, public speeches and demonstrations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies(https://www.achsnatl.org/). OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages .Minimum Qualifications GS-09: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes preparing documents pertaining interpretive programs; planning and/or executing special programs such as interpretive services or outreach programs; and administering organization contracts such as mowing, trash removal, facility cleanup, gate attendants, vegetative management, etc. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Natural Resource Management Oral Communication Technical Competence Time in Grade Requirement GS-07: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05). Time in Grade Requirement GS-09: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07). Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Rend Lake was built as a joint project by the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Rend Lake Conservancy District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Today Rend Lake serves as a destination spot for more 1.5 million of recreating visitors each year. The lake also provides downstream flood damage reduction, provides water to over 60 communities and provides fish and wildlife conservation areas. With marinas, boating, water skiing, camp sites, nature trails, golf, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and hunting, Rend Lake is one of the premier vacation spots in Southern Illinois. Position may be filled as a time-limited promotion, reassignment or change to lower grade not to exceed (NTE) 5 Years by a current permanent Army employee. Time-limited promotions may be extended up to a maximum of five years. Time-limited reassignments and changes to lower grade may exceed five years; however, return rights may be impacted. Position may be made permanent without further competition. If applicable, returns rights may be negotiated upon selection. If return rights are approved, a return rights agreement/statement of understanding will be required to be completed prior to appointment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Engineers and Scientist (Resources and Construction) #18 Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.