Civil/Agricultural Engineer

National Experienced Workforce Solutions; Cadillac (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Premium

Vacation and Sick Leave

Paid Federal Holidays

Vision and Dental Insurance (optional)

Job summary

National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) seeks a Civil/Agricultural Engineer to support NRCS ACES program in Michigan. This is a non-federal, partnership-based role with field and office duties, focusing on conservation practices and technical assistance.

The enrollee will work under a cooperative agreement to help farmers and landowners implement conservation, with travel and safety guidelines in place.

Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years experience in conservation and agricultural engineering.
• Proficiency with Civil3D, AutoCAD, and GIS tools.
• PE license required; valid state driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Develop designs and construction plans for conservation projects.
• Provide on-site consultation and inspection services.
• Perform field visits and certify practices.
• Train entry-level staff on design tools.

Skills

GIS basics

Engineering analysis

Communication skills

Education

MA/MS Degree in Civil or Agricultural Engineering

Tools

Civil3D

AutoCAD

ArcGIS

MS Office

Adobe Acrobat

CADD

Job description

Civil/Agricultural Engineer

ID: AMI1-008

Location: Cadillac

Program: ACE

Wage/Hr: $55.00

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 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
• 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 20 year(s) of experience in Conservation and Agricultural engineering to implement conservation practices on private lands. Experience with engineering design software (including Civil3D, AutoCAD, and spreadsheet programs), survey grade engineering equipment, and using design standards and specifications. Microsoft Office and proficiency in Adobe Acrobat. Use of office automation equipment including scanner, and printer. Knowledge of computer internet security/cyber security. Ability to understand maps, coordinate system and projections and basic GIS data, field application of engineering skills, basic proficiency in written and verbal communications. OR MA/MS Degree in Civil or Agricultural Engineering

• Must have an active Professional Engineer License.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position. This may require the operation of a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark.
• May require the operation of an ATV/UTV on both public and private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark.
• Skill in operating personal computer software, as well as simple programming (including word processing, spreadsheets, email, file transfers, internet, time keeping, and databases), in order to research, tabulate, and analyze data, prepare correspondence, finalize documents, and foster work improvement. Possess practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of conservation as they relate to agricultural operations and of NRCS conservation standards and specifications to certify practices installed correctly.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to pass the background investigation will result in termination of employment.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, ArcGIS
• Windows based design software, Outlook, MS Teams, MS SharePoint, etc.
• Working knowledge of CADD and Civil 3D.

Duties

Work LocationRemote: 50%Agency: 25%Field: 25%Assist the Area and Field Offices with program support activities in the implementation of engineering practices.

• In consultation with the supervisor, develops designs and construction plans for traditional and complex projects that utilize engineering practices such as waterways, grade stabilization structures, streambank protection, wetland restorations, animal waste control systems, and others using tools such as GPS survey grade units and Civil 3D throughout the Area.50%
• Provide on‑site consultation to field staff and contractors along with construction inspection services during construction of engineering practices throughout the Area.25%
• Complete field visits and checkouts related to Farm Bill funded conservation practices. Have knowledge of NRCS conservation standards and specifications in order to certify practices installed correctly throughout the Area.15%
• Provide training on engineering design tools to entry level staff throughout the Area.10%

Other

• OJT, NRCS offered technical trainings
• Overnight travel: Optional occasionally depending on locations of site visits, inspections, and trainings.
• Health and Safety Considerations: Performs duties in a supportive manner of a safe and healthy work environment. Exercises caution and maintain all safety requirements when exposed to dangerous objects, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. The work requires regular and recurring exposure to operating agricultural equipment requiring safety precautions; protective gear and clothing are necessary at such times. There may be exposure to inclement weather, poisonous insects and animals, and irritating plants. The conservation work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, prolonged walking on rough terrain, crossing ditches and furrows, and/or climbing steep banks. Carry equipment and tools while conducting field work, routinely lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Required Safety Gear: Agency will provide the following items if needed: safety vest, hard hat. NRCS will provide a cell phone for emergency calls that may arise in the field. Enrollee will provide the following items: Attire appropriate to field and weather conditions for working outside in Michigan year‑round, appropriate footwear for field and weather conditions for spending long hours outside in Michigan year‑round.
• 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.