Job Description
Job DescriptionFarm Bill SupportID:AMA1-007Location:AmherstProgram:ACE
Wage/Hr:$35.00Hours/Week:32Minimum 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 15 year(s) of experience in agricultural operations and resources management. Not required but helpful experience with Farm Bill Programs and NRCS practice user guide. OR BA/BS Degree in Natural Resources, Business, Agronomy, or related.
- Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS
- Protracts, Conservation Desktop, MS Teams
Duties:
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. This position will support and work at multiple locations: - 35% Holden, MA - 35% Wareham, MA - 30% Amherst, MA
- 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. 40%
- 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. 20%
- Track Farm Bill contracts (pending actions, expiring contracts, contract reviews etc.); assists in preparing follow up letters to participants. 20%
- Enter data into agency-specific software programs and prepare reports. Analyze problems with applications and take remedial actions. 10%
- Assist with office tasks, customer service and other duties as assigned. 10%
Other:
- On-job training from NRCS staff
- Travel Requirements: Occasional travel for site visits, fieldwork by use of a GOV or POV.
- Required Safety Gear: Some potential outdoor work; therefore, hazards associated with rough terrain and changing weather conditions. Enrollee should prepare/dress accordingly.
- 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.