Soil Conservationist

National Experienced Workforce Solutions; Deer Lodge (MT); On-site; USD 43,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Vision & dental option

Job summary

NEW Solutions is seeking a Soil Conservationist in Deer Lodge, MT, to provide planning and technical support to farmers, ranchers and landowners under the ACES program. This is a non-federal role funded through a partnership with NRCS.

The position offers 30–40 hours per week at a wage of $37.50 per hour, with benefits including paid health insurance, vacation and holidays. Enrollment is temporary and at-will, designed to support NRCS missions and field operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in soils, forestry, or agronomy.
• BA/BS in Soil Conservation or related field with 30 semester hours in natural resources, including soils/crops.

Responsibilities

• Plan and create planning documents addressing natural resource concerns.
• Collect field data, analyze, and develop management plans for forested and grassland resources.
• Outreach and education to producers.
• Support NRCS field operations, producer follow-up, and project implementation.

Skills

Windows

MS Word

MS Excel

Education

BA/BS in Soil Conservation or related field with natural resource coursework

Tools

ProTracts

Conservation Desktop

GIS

Job description

Soil Conservationist

ID: AMT1-013

Location: Deer Lodge

Program: ACE

Wage/Hr: $37.50

Hours/Week: 30 - 40

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.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in specialized field such as soil science, forestry, or agronomy is as fully acceptable as experience directly obtained in soil conservation work. OR BA/BS Degree in Soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering. The study must have included 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science.

• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel

Duties:

Perform the role of a Soil Conservationist providing planning and technical support to farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other land users within the Deer Lodge Work Unit footprint. Work side‑side with NRCS staff in implementing Farm Bill Programs and support NRCS field operations.

• Work with producers to plan and create planning documents that address natural resource concerns.40%
• Collect field data, data analysis, summary table creation, and development of management plans on forested and grassland resources.40%
• Outreach and Education10%
• Support NRCS Field Operations, producer follow‑up, project implementation.10%

Other:

• If necessary, ProTracts, Conservation Desktop, GIS
• Overnight travel: .
• 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.