Program Support Technician

Location: Paris

Program: ACE

Wage/Hr: $20.00

Hours/Week: 20

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.

Duties: Work will be performed in support of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The tasks involve providing conservation assistance; collecting and analyzing data; modifying or preparing limited design adaptations; applying accepted conservation practices; preparing reports; and coordinating and communicating with conservationists, engineers, customers, and other NRCS personnel and partners. Examples of activities involving conservation assistance covered by this agreement include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide support, recommendations, and implementation assistance on a wide range of Farm Bill programs. This may include, but is not limited to, conservation planning and application assistance, development of cost lists, ranking criteria, contract development, status reviews, certification of practices, processing payment documents to the State Office, case file management, and general program support activities. 45%Assist USDA staff/Partners/Landowners/Producers with the preparation of contracts for conservation practices/plans approved and funded. The assistance may include development of a time schedule with construction deadlines, quality performance requirements, contract modification support, contract status reviews, project documentation and payment application support. Provide training to staff in completion of the above mentioned activities. In general, assists with conservation plan implementation and quality assurance. 30%Assist with planning and contracting conservation practices utilized under Farm Bill program; determining support needs, working with program participants, entering practice data required for conservation plan support documents. 25%Other:as needed to fulfill the duties of the position.

Travel Requirements: Field Offices within FOSAs and any training needed within the workday Health and Safety Considerations: Duties may require being outdoors, exposed to a variety of conditions such as heat, cold, rain, snow, etc. Required Safety Gear: Enrollee should wear sturdy, safe walking shoes/boots suitable for rough terrain; enrollee should wear clothing suitable for inclement weather when necessary; proper safety certification and required precautions should be used when operating an ATV. Work is performed outside.

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.