Conservation Planner

Conservation Planner
ID: AFL-035 Location: Palmetto Program: ACE  
Wage/Hr: $39.69 Hours/Week: 40 Minimum Age: 55  

About NEW Solutions

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS)

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). These are experienced professionals who provide technical and professional assistance to the Department of Agriculture for the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program.

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.

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 15 year(s) of experience in Conservation planning and program implementation OR BA/BS Degree in Agronomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, or related field of study.

  • Valid State Driver's License.
  • Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel
  • PowerPoint.
  • NRCS Software: Conservation Desktop and Protracts.
Duties:

Supports the ASTC-FO with program implementation and quality control. Also, supports Programs Staff with pre-audit, implementation, and evaluation of various Farm Bill Programs. Works with Program Managers and District Conservationists ensuring that appropriate supporting documents substantiate payment requests. Assists staff with the review of open obligations and quarterly certifications.

  • Conducts field work to determine conservation practices needed to inspect conservation practices that have been installed under our programs. This will require the use of a gov?t vehicle. The fieldwork will be on a day-to-day basis and does not include overnight travel.    40%
  • Assist ASTC-FO with quality control (QC) in program contracting and implementation of programs. Also, includes providing assistance to field offices in modifying contracts and assisting with the nine-step conservation planning.   20%
  • Gathers and compiles planning data on rural acreage and community land uses, including physical features for evaluation and development of natural resource conservation plans. Explains or demonstrates to landowners or contractor methods of installing practices such as sediment basins, terraces, diversions, etc. Follows up on work with landowners by checking the progress of practices under construction, resolves minor problems, and refers more difficult questions to higher-grade technicians.    20%
  • Document land treatment applied and assigned priorities to achieve accelerated land treatment. Assist in planning and developing feasible multi-benefit projects.   10%
  • Prepare and revise resource conservation plans and long-term contracts on units of land; make field surveys and examinations, assemble maps, and tabulate needed information.   10%

Other:
  • Annual information system security, anti-harassment, and civil rights training.
  • Travel Requirements: Gathering field data or assist field offices.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.