Position Specifications
SEE Program
Level I—Light Clerical/Laboratory Support
This category includes light clerical and support assignments largely concerned with routine entry level office or laboratory operations. Neither proficiency in typing/word processing nor full performance skill with laboratory equipment is required. Examples of duties assigned might include answering the telephone, sorting and distributing mail; addressing and/or stuffing envelopes, filing, copying and faxing. Typically a high school education is not required to perform these duties. Assignments in this category include messenger, receptionist, file-clerk, laboratory assistant, etc.
Level II—Clerical/Laboratory Support
This category includes clerical assignments that require a higher degree of proficiency in typing/work processing. Clerical assignments in this category are generally in support of administrative, technical and professional federal government workers. Such clerical support generally requires a substantial knowledge of administrative/program rules, regulations and procedures. Recommendations to be made are generally routine or fall within administrative precedents. Typically a combination of a high school diploma (or GED) and several years of on-the-job training/experience lead to a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the assignment. This level includes administrative technician, computer data entry operator, etc.
Level III—Technical
Assignments in this category involve at least some degree of creative, analytical, evaluative and interpretive work and may involve work of an independent nature. They require a range and depth of knowledge and judgment that can only be acquired through familiarity with the principles, methods and techniques of a particular recognized occupational field. Duties and recommendations to be made generally consist of activities that include responding, monitoring, tracing, organizing, developing, compiling, arranging, following up on, coordinating and reporting. Skills utilized to support/assist federal government workers are typically acquired through completion of a full curriculum at a recognized community college or college/university, several years of on-the-job training and experience or a combination of the three, leading to a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the assignment. This level includes senior laboratory technician, environmental protection specialist, and program analyst.
Level IV—Professional
Assignments in this category involve full performance of creative, analytical, evaluative and interpretive work and may involve independent work. They require a range and depth of knowledge and judgment such as can be acquired only through familiarity with a recognized professional occupational field. Duties and recommendations to be made generally consist of activities that include researching, assessing, advising and recommending, proposing, developing strategies, evaluating, presenting, training, initiating, and responding. Skills utilized to support/assist federal government workers are typically acquired through completion of a full curriculum beyond a B.A./B.S. at a recognized college or university, several years of on-the-job training and experience or a combination of the three, leading to a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the assignments. This level includes attorney, auditor, accountant, mathematician, life scientist, and engineer.
ACES Program
Level I—Technical-no degree required
Assignments in this category require a range and depth of knowledge and judgment that can be acquired only through familiarity with the principles, methods and techniques of a particular occupational field. These skills are typically acquired through completion of an Associates Degree in a specialized field of study, 5 years of on-the-job training and experience, or a combination of the two. Included in this job category are positions such as soil conservation technicians, engineering technicians, and other positions that directly assist the field office staff. A Level I position requires considerable application of independent professional judgment and initiative.
Level II—Technical or Non-Specific Degree or Undergraduate Degree
This category includes assignments that involve full-performance, creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive work. Assignments require a range and depth of knowledge and judgment that can be acquired only through familiarity with a professional field and can usually be acquired through completion of an undergraduate curriculum at a recognized college or university. This assignment category is for licensed/certified professionals trained in specific academic discipline and possessing a minimum of 10 years of related on-the-job experience, such as soil conservationists, soil scientists, and related technical disciplines that support NRCS staff who provide technical assistance to agency employees and customers.
Level III—Professional—Specific Degree Required or Masters Degree Required
This category requires the completion of a master’s degree or a specific undergraduate degree in the natural sciences, engineering or other recognized fields or a combination of education and relevant progressive experience. Assignments require a range and depth of knowledge and judgment that can be acquired only through familiarity with a professional field. This assignment category is for licensed/certified professionals trained in specific academic discipline and possessing a minimum of 15 years of related on-the-job experience, such as engineers, soil scientists, agronomists, resource conservationists, etc.
Level IV—Professional/Expert Advanced Degree Required or Doctoral Degree Required with Extensive Experience
This category requires the completion of a relevant doctoral degree or a combination of relevant post graduate work and relevant progressive experience. This position involves highly creative or specialized, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive work with a high degree of independent initiative and judgment in assigned areas of responsibility. This assignment category is for professionals with a minimum of 20 years of related on-the-job experience. An “expert” requires managerial experience at the highest level and documented professional peer recognition as an expert in the field or discipline. This individual would embody a significant portion of institutional memory or be capable of providing expert advice or recommendations regarding policy or practice with the highest level of professional expertise. The assignment requires extra ordinary use of independent professional judgment and initiative limited by the appropriate policy constraints.