Home / Federal careers / GS-0457
Soil Conservation
Performs professional soil conservation work including erosion control, soil analysis, and conservation planning.
What GS-0457 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0457, as written.
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 in A above, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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.
Evaluation of Education: Education that provided specialized knowledge and skills in soil and water conservation is more valuable than education that imparted broad but general knowledge and skills. Courses in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil genesis, plant physiology, plant science, and field crops are examples of specialized courses that contribute towards meeting the required 12 semester hours as described above. Courses in the physical sciences or engineering such as geology, civil engineering, and hydrology also meet the soils, crops, or plant science course requirements where such courses included a complete introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.
Evaluation of Experience: Experience that included the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields is appropriate, given the interdisciplinary character of the soil conservation occupation. For example, experience gained in a specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0457
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Engineering Aid
Involves surveying and mapping, skills that are directly applicable to soil conservation and erosion control planning.
Skills that carry over: GIS Skills, Conservation Planning, Technical Assistance.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Water Support Technician
Experience in water resource management and environmental impact assessments provides a foundation for soil conservation roles.
Skills that carry over: Soil Science, GIS Skills, Program Knowledge.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Pest Management
GS-0457 Soil Conservation aligns with land, soil, and vegetation work; NRCS is the primary employer.
Skills that carry over: Soil and land assessment, Conservation practices, Vegetation management, Field documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Develop soil conservation plans
- Analyze soil conditions
- Design erosion control measures
- Provide technical assistance
- Monitor conservation practices
- Work with landowners
Key competencies
Soil Science
Knowledge of soil properties and conservation.
Conservation Planning
Ability to develop conservation plans.
Technical Assistance
Skill in advising landowners on practices.
Program Knowledge
Understanding of USDA conservation programs.
GIS Skills
Proficiency with mapping and spatial analysis.
Communication
Ability to work with farmers and stakeholders.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0457
What is a Soil Conservationist?
A GS-0457 Soil Conservationist helps landowners implement conservation practices to protect soil, water, and related natural resources. These professionals work primarily for NRCS providing technical assistance to farmers and land managers.
How much does a Soil Conservationist make?
Soil Conservationists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-9/11/12, earning $52,205-$98,422 annually.
What are the requirements for GS-0457?
GS-0457 positions require education in soil conservation, agronomy, or related natural resource fields. Higher grades require progressively more conservation planning and technical assistance experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0457?
Military experience cannot substitute for required conservation education. However, veterans with degrees who served in environmental roles have applicable field experience.
What is the career progression for Soil Conservationist?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level conservationists assist with planning. GS-11/12 conservationists lead complex projects.
How do I apply for GS-0457 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for Soil Conservationist or 0457 series. NRCS is the primary employer with offices nationwide.
Ready to apply for GS-0457?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.