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 aged 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.
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.
PLEASE 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 established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS and administered by NEW Solutions.
This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States. |
Qualifications:Minimum of 10 year(s) of experience in natural resources planning field OR AA Degree OR Previously completed training in and certification in Conservation Planning and Engineering Design - Knowledge of conservation planning related to soil, water, air, plants and animals and addressing associate resource concerns; knowledge of engineering design principles and job approval authority; knowledge of Farm Bill and State Agricultural Cost Share Programs.
- Valid Drivers License
- Experience required with Windows, Fax, Copying Machine, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access
- Customer Service Toolkit, ArcGIS
- Phone
Duties:The enrollee will provide technical assistance to client in the Stuart Service Center and other neighboring service centers if needed by completing the following work: Assist with the conservation planning of Farm Bill Program conservation practices and assist with the survey, design, and installation of Farm Bill/BMP conservation practices. Provide training to Area 2 staff as needed. - Assist field staff with conservation planning according to the 9 step process. As conservation plans are written, contact farmers to develop a systematic application schedule for practices included in the plan. Explains incentive payments procedures to farmers, inspects proposed sites, determines need and feasibility of conservation practices applicable for geographical location, advises on-site selections, performs layout work, and supervises construction of practices for which NRCS has technical responsibility. Establishes and/or carries out a follow up schedule to check progress made in carrying out conservation plans. 60%
- Designs conservation practices involved in a variety of NRCS programs. Assembles complete packages of drawing and specifications for jobs. Prepares drawing using CADD and manual methods. Prepares job sheets and designs according to current policy Prepares as built plans. Certifies completed work to the District Conservationist. 40%
Other:- computer security, annual ethics, civil rights training & program related training etc.)
- Use of NRCS software - Tool Kit, the Progress Reporting System, ArcGIS, & planning, & Access database software training.
- Health and Safety Considerations: Walking through wooded areas will require training in basic first aid for tick & snake bites, an orientation session on the importance of proper wearing apparel such as long sleeve shirts, boots, sun screen, and finally, use of defensive driving techniques when operating a government vehicle.
Initial orientation session and then periodic follow-up.
- Safety Gear Use: First aid kit and bio- security supplies furnished by the agency.
The work involves regular and recurring exposure to operating agricultural equipment or earth moving operations, adverse weather conditions such as extreme heat and cold and unimproved roads. Protective equipment is necessary on construction sites.
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