Summary This position is located in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office within the State of Maine. This is an administrative and technical support position generally under the supervision of the District Conservationist, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations, or other higher graded employee. The position is responsible for processing and maintenance of records related to conservation programs and the day to day business and office process of the NRCS. Responsibilities Track Farm Bill contracts and technical service provider projects to include reviewing and assembling documentation and certification required for contracts and payment Process applications and certifications of eligibility; review payment requests and verify payment documents to ensure complete information is provided. Provide administrative support to the District Conservationist, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations, or other higher graded employees. Prepare reports for higher level employees describing problems that are recurring or causing significant delays or costs. Provide resource information to customers, including soil maps, aerial photographs, and other locally important data. Provide a variety of information to landowners and other program participants; guidance on completion of required program application materials; and explanations regarding contract payment processes and paperwork requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-05 level: To qualify for the GS-05 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Processing, organizing and filing records for business program operations; Responding to questions on office programs policies, procedures and operations to employees and outside parties; Reviewing incoming/outgoing correspondence for format, grammar, and punctuation; Providing telephone and receptionist services (e.g. scheduling meetings and providing other clerical and administrative support) for an organization; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-05 level: 4 years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. 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 your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-06 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Developing financial and transactional reports, and correspondences for conservation, forestry, or agricultural projects; Developing processes and procedures for administrative functions to provide consistency within the office and to outside parties. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-07 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Work in support of conservation, forestry or agriculture that involves providing contract administration support services such as using a variety of electronic tools to input, organize and manipulate data; Communicating program information and verifying participant eligibility; Tracking contract status and following-up with participants to ensure deadlines are met; Reviewing contracts, payments and other technical documents for accuracy and compliance with policy; Working with staff and customers to resolve program issues and problems. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-06 and GS-07 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=GS-CLER 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 If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. 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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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. 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. Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information Locality Pay: The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables may be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP 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/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Physical Demands: The work is sedentary but involves some light to moderate lifting and carrying. The incumbent is required to perform repetitive work involving the use of arms and hands. Use of a computer keyboard is required. Work Environment: The work is performed in an office setting which provides adequate light, heat and ventilation. Observance of normal office safety precautions is 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.