Conservation Specialist - ANY1-009

National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions); Town of Bath (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) partners with NRCS to place experienced workers in the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) program across the United States. The role supports farmers and landowners by delivering technical and professional assistance and by freeing NRCS staff for emergencies.

Applicants must be 55+, hold a BA/BS in a related field or have 10 years in agriculture, and possess a state driver’s license plus experience with ArcGIS and MS

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 year(s) of experience in agriculture/natural resource field to include implementation of conservation practices and knowledge of Farm Bill Programs.
• BA/BS Degree in business management, natural resources or related field of study.
• Valid State Driver’s License required.
• Experience with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS
• ArcPro (preferred), Conservation Desktop (as needed)

Responsibilities

• Assist the district conservationist with providing customers with technical assistance, engineering surveys, and Farm Bill Program delivery.
• Prepare basic conservation plans, compile information and prepare maps to address natural resource concerns. 40%
• Follow up on conservation plans with landowners to encourage and arrange for proper maintenance of established conservation practices and to schedule application of planned practices. 30%
• Assist with engineering surveys, designs, and layout of best management practices. 20%
• Conduct status reviews of planned practices. 10%

Job description

Disclaimer: This is not a federal position. This role is offered through a partnership agreement and does not constitute an NRCS hiring action.

Are you at least 55 years of age? Under federal law, this is an experienced older worker program, and applicants must be a minimum age of 55 to be considered; do you meet the minimum age (55) requirement?

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.

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 10 year(s) of experience in agriculture/natural resource field to include implementation of conservation practices and knowledge of Farm Bill Programs. OR BA/BS Degree in business management, natural resources or related field of study.

• Valid State Driver’s License required.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS
• ArcPro (preferred), Conservation Desktop (as needed)

Duties:

Assist the district conservationist with providing customers with technical assistance, engineering surveys, and Farm Bill Program delivery.

• Prepare basic conservation plans, compile information and prepare maps to address natural resource concerns. 40%
• Follow up on conservation plans with landowners to encourage and arrange for proper maintenance of established conservation practices and to schedule application of planned practices. 30%
• Assist with engineering surveys, designs, and layout of best management practices. 20%
• Conduct status reviews of planned practices. 10%

Other:

• Other annual trainings, as assigned.
• On the job training will be provided.
• Travel Requirements: Government vehicles will be provided for transportation to various sites, fieldwork, and on occasion to attend meetings. GOV will be provided as necessary and availability. Position will require enrollee to operate a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight and occasionally after dark.
• Overnight travel: .
• Health and Safety Considerations: Construction Safety. Training will be provided by NRCS, and NRCS will monitor enrollee’s compliance to safety requirements.
• Required Safety Gear: Hard hat, leather work shoes or equivalent, safety goggles/glasses, rubber boots, fluorescent orange traffic safety vest.
• 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.