Agricultural Engineer

National-Experienced-Workforce-Solutions; Bangor (ME); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Accrued vacation

Paid federal holidays

Vision and dental optional

Job summary

National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) is seeking an experienced engineer to support NRCS in Bangor, ME. The role involves assisting conservation planners with engineering analyses, developing planning alternatives, and preparing technical documentation for field projects.

The position emphasizes collaboration with NRCS staff, site visits, and the use of AutoCAD to produce designs that meet NRCS standards. Prior ArcGIS, Civil 3D, and Adobe Acrobat experience is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in conservation and agriculture engineering, or a related field of study, or a combination of experience and education.
• Experience with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel.
• ArcGIS, Civil 3D and Adobe Acrobat experience may be helpful.

Responsibilities

• Work with NRCS conservation planners to develop conservation planning alternatives and provide engineering support.
• Prepare trip reports and coordinate with conservationists, engineers, and NRCS staff.
• Perform site surveys and determine the size of structural practices; assist with environmental evaluation.
• Utilize NRCS-approved methods and AutoCAD to design components of conservation projects.

Education

BA/BS in Agricultural Engineering

Tools

Windows

MS Word

MS Excel

ArcGIS

Civil 3D

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

• ID: AME1-009
• Location: Bangor
• Program: ACE
• Wage/Hr: $38.00
• Hours/Week: 24
• 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 a 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 conservation and agriculture engineering, or a related field of study, or a combination of experience and education. OR BA/BS Degree in Agricultural Engineering

• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel
• ArcGIS, Civil 3d and Adobe Acrobat experience may be helpful.

Duties

Work will be performed in support of overall farmers first conservation delivery for the State Conservationist and partner organizations. Tasks will generally consist of assisting NRCS conservation planners with engineering for developing conservation planning alternatives, environmental evaluation, complex natural resource training and job approval authority assistance in the areas soil, water, air, plant, animal, human, and energy, preparing trip reports, coordinating and communicating with conservationists, engineers, and other NRCS personnel. Examples of activities for conservation assistance covered by this agreement are as follows:

• Design: Utilizes NRCS approved methods to engineer structural components associated with engineering projects. Completes designs using AutoCAD software. Provides completed designs to other engineers for their review and approval.35%
• Site visits and planning assistance: Works closely with the Area engineer and District Conservationist to provide planning assistance. Provides engineering assistance to determine the type and size of structural practices associated with projects. Develops engineering trip reports to aid in the development of conservation plans.20%
• Construction Oversite: Attends pre-construction meetings with contractors and landowners to discuss completed plans. Provides answers to construction-related questions. Provides on-site construction oversite to ensure all projects are installed according to all NRCS standards, specifications, and any other requirements. Design changes are discussed with the approving engineer.20%
• Site surveys and initial engineer determinations: Schedules surveys with Civil Engineering Technician and field office staff. Completes detailed site surveys to provide information needed to determine practice locations and extents.15%
• Project Completion: Makes final measurements of installed components once project is complete. If the project installation varies significantly from the design, an as-built survey will be done. Completes as-built drawing and provides them to the approving engineer for final certification.10%

Other

• required AgLearn training.
• Training with state engineer.
• Travel Requirements: Site visits and field work via GOV
• Overnight travel: Possibility of 1-2 nights per month.
• Health and Safety Considerations: The enrollee will receive the same occupational training provided to all NRCS field employees.
• Required Safety Gear: Hard hats, safety goggles, hearing protection, and steel-toed shoes for field visits.
• 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.