Resource Conservationist - Area 1

Resource Conservationist

• Area 1 ID: AKY1-030 Location: Mayfield Program: ACE Wage/Hr: $43.00 Hours/Week: 30 Minimum Age: 55 Disclaimer: This is not a federal position. This role is offered through a partnership agreement and does not constitute an NRCS hiring action. This position is a non-federal role funded through an existing agreement between NRCS and NEW Solutions. The enrollee will provide direct support to farmers and landowners, enabling the implementation of conservation practices on the ground. This role contributes to NRCS's mission by enhancing capacity in field offices and ensuring timely assistance to producers. It is designed to free up NRCS staff for emergency and high-priority responses, not to replace federal staff. This role helps ensure continued progress on conservation planning, practice implementation, and technical assistance, especially in high-demand or disaster-affected areas. It aligns with the Administration's priorities for farmer-first, field-facing, and partner-enabled capacity expansion. 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. 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. 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 20 year(s) of experience in Conservation OR BA/BS Degree in Biology, Agriculture, or Natural Resources related. Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint Conservation Desktop, Protracts Duties: This position provides program assistance to field staff to support program contract obligation and maintenance.

The Program Support Specialist will be supervised by the NRCS, Area 1 Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations and will work closely with NRCS field office staff, area and state office program support staff as well as USDA participants. The Program Support Specialist shall possess practical knowledge of NRCS financial assistance programs, general conservation planning procedures as it relates to contracting, and contract maintenance, to include contract reviews, reminder letters, cancellations, terminations and violations.

The Program Support Specialist must be able to initiate and complete the assigned work tasks and responsibilities with limited supervision. Technical Support: Assists in contracting processes on federal financial assistance contracts, provides advisement on standard contracting policy, assists with typical contract maintenance procedures and documents.

Assembles folders and mailings required by policy. 50% Data Collection and Analysis: Assists with tracking contract maintenance procedures across the area ? contract reviews, expiring contracts, vendor status, etc. 30% Communication: Works closely with NRCS staff and contract participants on contract obligation & maintenance.

This includes written and verbal communication. 10% Other related duties as assigned by NRCS. 10% Other: NRCS Software and Tools as needed Travel Requirements: Site visits, field work, use of POV Overnight travel: Occasional, but may be necessary to facilitate work throughout Area. Less than 3 days per month on average.

Physical requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 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.