Being Age 55 or Older is Good for The Environment! The Agricultural Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program offers unique opportunities in Scientific, Technical, and Agricultural support for individuals age 55 and over to support the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a grant administered program awarded to National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions). This is a unique program where your talents, expertise and experience will truly be valued. The ACES program provides an opportunity to work side-by-side with NRCS staff that are doing important work every day. Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium for positions budgeted at 60+ hours per pay period, Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid Federal Holidays, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available for positions budgeted at 35+ hours per pay period. NOTE: Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an "at-will" relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee. NOTE: An "ACES Enrollee"is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An "ACES Enrollee"is a participant in a grant program, which is established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS and administered by NEW Solutions. |
Basic Minimum Required Qualifications:Minimum of 10 year(s) of experience in Basic Survey and Design, Conservation Planning and/orAA Degree in Successful completion of 1 year of study including at least 6 semester hours in courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics or other natural or physical sciences - Valid State Driver's license
- Applicants MUST be a minimum age of 55 in order to be considered for position.
- Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access
- PowerPoint, Arc-GIS, CAD Conservation Desktop, Conservation Assessment Tool
Duties/Responsibilities:- Assists the NRCS Staff with data collection, resource planning, basic resource protection, and conservation compliance plans.
- Data collection and practice design using general knowledge of local farming operations; gathers and compiles planning data on primary rural sites including physical features such as soil limitations, erosion, surface drainage, and sedimentation. Recommends to land users a range of solutions or alternatives to solve a resource problem, within scope of engineering job approval authority. Identify local grasses, seeds, trees and shrubs in order to identify agronomic resource concerns and problem species as well as alternative managements for improvements.50%
- Schedules own time for on-site assistance required in the application of practices. Provides periodic follow up and inspection with landowners to check progress of conservation practices that are under construction. Identifies need for adjustments to practice designs under construction, and seeks assistance from individuals with adequate engineering job approval authority when necessary. Checks completed practices to determine that specifications are met. Completes field sheets and provides final certification within limits of engineering job approval authority. Advises landowner/operator to complete proper maintenance. Establishes and/or carries out a follow-up schedule to check progress made in carrying out conservation plans. Suggests best methods and time for installing additional practices, advises when revisions in plans are needed and obtains data to expedite revision of plans. Performs duties in a manner supportive of a safe and healthy work environment, and exercises precautions when exposed to dangerous objects, chemicals, extreme temperatures, etc.40%
- Provides information to farmers, ranchers, and other rural residents on the types of assistance available from NRCS and other agencies, including the nature of programs and how and where to apply for assistance. Assists with public information activities, providing NRCS guidance for the application of practices and policy. Conducts practice demonstrations, facilitates discussion, and presents material on practice application and specifications at community or watershed meetings if requested.10%
Other:- Annual information system security, anti-harassment, and civil rights training, UTV training
- Travel Requirements: Will be required to travel within the District group, which consists of 2-4 counties 50% of the time. Overnight travel maybe required for training purposes.
- Overnight travel: Possibly 3-5 days a year. Overnight travel may be required for training purposes.
- Health and Safety Considerations: Work is primarily performed in environments where forest fires have occurred, steep terrain with prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and exposure to weather element conditions. Conditions are not in "active" fire status, however, there may be areas that are considered "hot spots"and could ignite. PPE is provided and must be worn while working in these areas. Aglearn "NRCS Employee Safety Training" Course ID number NRCS-NEDC-000284
- Required Safety Gear: Hard-hat, safety goggle, gloves
- Remote work arrangements are available for this position.
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