Farm Bill Support

NEW Solutions • Amherst, MA

4d • Hybrid

About The 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.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in agricultural operations and resources management.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS Protracts, Conservation Desktop, MS Teams

Nice To Haves

• Helpful experience with Farm Bill Programs and NRCS practice user guide.
• BA/BS Degree in Natural Resources, Business, Agronomy, or related.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical and program delivery conservation work in support of Farm Bill conservation Programs.
• Provides technical assistance, assists with conservation planning and contracts, and performs program-related duties requiring technical knowledge and expertise to support program delivery.
• Assist field office staff with CSP/EQIP contract related items such as contract modifications, contract violations, waivers and other tasks that will aid the current NRCS staff with contract management.
• Support Quality Assurance efforts such as: Reviewing required conservation program documents submitted by the field staff to Preapprove and obligate program dollars.
• Ensure selected practices meet Practice User Guide requirements, vendor information is submitted correctly, conservation planning job sheets are completed, planning acreage, contract acreage, practices match and ranking are all done correctly.
• Track Farm Bill contracts (pending actions, expiring contracts, contract reviews etc.); assists in preparing follow up letters to participants.
• Enter data into agency-specific software programs and prepare reports.
• Analyze problems with applications and take remedial actions.
• Assist with office tasks, customer service and other duties as assigned.
• On-job training from NRCS staff

Benefits

• Paid Health Insurance Premium for positions budgeted at 60+ hours per pay period
• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Federal Holidays
• Optional Vision and Dental Insurance available for positions budgeted at 35+ hours per pay period

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree