Civil/Agricultural Engineer

NEW Solutions • Cadillac, MI

13d

About The Position

This non-federal, temporary enrollee role is offered through a partnership agreement administered by NEW Solutions under the USDA-NRCS Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program. The enrollee provides technical and professional assistance to farmers, landowners, NRCS field offices, and area offices to help implement conservation practices. The role supports NRCS’s mission by expanding field-office capacity and providing timely technical assistance; it is intended to free NRCS staff for emergency and high-priority responses, not replace federal staff.

The position is based in Cadillac and is budgeted for 24 hours per week. Work is listed as 50% remote, 25% agency, and 25% field. The enrollee develops designs and construction plans for traditional and complex engineering projects, provides on-site consultation and construction inspections, conducts field visits and practice checkouts, and trains entry-level staff on engineering design tools. Projects may include waterways, grade stabilization structures, streambank protection, wetland restorations, and animal waste control systems. Occasional overnight travel is optional depending on site visits, inspections, and training locations.

The work involves field exposure to operating agricultural equipment, inclement weather, poisonous insects and animals, irritating plants, and extreme temperatures. It requires prolonged walking on rough terrain, crossing ditches and furrows, climbing steep banks, and routinely carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds. The enrollee must observe safety requirements and use protective equipment when needed. The agency will provide a safety vest and hard hat if needed, and NRCS will provide a cell phone for field emergencies. The enrollee provides appropriate attire and footwear for year-round outdoor work in Michigan. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Enrollment is temporary and at-will, and the opportunity does not guarantee employment for any definite period. The enrollee is not a federal employee or a NEW Solutions employee. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States, and employment is subject to satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

Requirements

• At least 20 years of experience in conservation and agricultural engineering implementing conservation practices on private lands, or an MA/MS degree in Civil or Agricultural Engineering.
• Active Professional Engineer license.
• Valid state motor vehicle operator’s license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties.
• Experience with engineering design software, including Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and spreadsheet programs.
• Experience with survey-grade engineering equipment and the use of design standards and specifications.
• Microsoft Office proficiency and proficiency in Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, ArcGIS, Windows-based design software, Outlook, MS Teams, and MS SharePoint.
• Working knowledge of CADD and Civil 3D.
• Ability to use office automation equipment, including scanners and printers.
• Knowledge of computer internet security and cybersecurity.
• Ability to understand maps, coordinate systems and projections, and basic GIS data.
• Ability to apply engineering skills in the field and communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Skill in using personal computer software and simple programming, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, file transfers, internet, timekeeping, and databases, to research, tabulate, and analyze data, prepare correspondence, finalize documents, and improve work processes.
• Practical knowledge of conservation methods and techniques as they relate to agricultural operations, and of NRCS conservation standards and specifications for certifying installed practices.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle on public and private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark; may also need to operate an ATV/UTV on public and private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark.
• Ability to meet field-work demands, including prolonged walking over rough terrain, crossing ditches and furrows, climbing steep banks, and routinely lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check; failure to pass will result in termination of employment.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Assist Area and Field Offices with program support activities for implementing engineering practices.
• In consultation with the supervisor, develop designs and construction plans for traditional and complex projects using engineering practices such as waterways, grade stabilization structures, streambank protection, wetland restorations, and animal waste control systems.
• Use GPS survey-grade units and Civil 3D in engineering design and project work throughout the Area.
• Provide on-site consultation to field staff and contractors and conduct construction inspections during installation of engineering practices.
• Complete field visits and checkouts related to Farm Bill-funded conservation practices.
• Apply NRCS conservation standards and specifications to verify and certify that installed practices meet requirements.
• Provide training on engineering design tools to entry-level staff throughout the Area.
• Participate in on-the-job training and NRCS-offered technical trainings.

Benefits

• Accrued vacation and sick leave.
• Paid federal holidays.
• Optional vision and dental insurance for positions budgeted at 35 or more hours per pay period.
• Paid health insurance premium for positions budgeted at 60 or more hours per pay period.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior