Conservation Technician

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. 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.

NOTE: Will be able to work from home "at times" but you will also be required to go into the office part of the time as well.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in Natural resource planning and/or teaching and/or MA/MS Degree.

• Valid State Driver's license.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel
• Valid state driver's license.

Duties:

This position will support Farm Bill programs EQIP and CSP by performing Food Security Act compliance reviews in all counties in Area 2, assist with completion of Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland conservation certifications under the supervision of the Area Resource Soil Scientist. Provide mentoring and coaching to new NRCS employees in the area of landowner engagement and follow-up of existing NRCS EQIP/CSP contracts. Additionally, will support the Agricultural Conservation Easement program by conducting conservation easement monitoring visits in Area 2.

NOTE: Will be able to work from home "at times" but you will also be required to go into the office part of the time as well.

• Conduct EQIP/CSP contract status reviews of planned practices and conduct FSA compliance reviews.   30%
• Provide mentoring/coaching to field office employees.   30%
• Conservation Easement monitoring within the area.   20%
• Follow up on conservation plans with landowners to encourage and arrange for proper maintenance of established conservation practices and to schedule application of planned practices.   20%

• Annual information system security, anti-harassment, and civil rights training.
• Travel Requirements: GOV will be provided at Medina office.