Soil Scientist

ID:AFL-037Location:GainesvilleProgram:ACE

Wage/Hr:$39.00Hours/Week:20Minimum Age:55

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 Watershed Program Management, Natural Resource Management, Dam Rehabilitation or other NRCS programs at the State level. OR BA/BS Degree in Agriculture, Soil Science, Agronomy, Plant Science, Animal Science, Forestry, Environmental Studies, Watershed Science.

• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint
  
  

Duties

This position is part of the Soils Staff for NRCS in Florida. The primary purpose of this position is to provide training and support to Resource Soil Scientists (RSS) new to the Area as well as provide training for other field staff with soils related information. Serve as support to the RSS for maintenance, interpretation, and distribution of soil survey information; conduct informational and educational activities related to soils and soil survey; provide training to NRCS employees and other technical specialists; provide support to users of soil survey information; assist with Farm Bill programs and conservation planning, environmental assessment, and natural resource management activities; and provide technical review and guidance in the application of soil survey information. Carry out responsibilities under the supervision of the State Soil Scientist.

• Assist and train staff in making wetland delineations and determinations using the procedures and guidelines found in the National Food Security Act Manual, the Hydric Soil Indicators, and using the Local Operating Procedures and Off-site determination methods where appropriate. 30%
• Utilize GIS and other GPS technology and train others in its appropriate use in the field. Use the tools of NRCS to track and maintain records of site visits. Provide this information back to the Service Center in a useful format. 30%
• Provide guidance and interpret soil data for use by the service centers to answer questions during the program signup and application periods for CRP, EQIP, CSP, EWP, and other programs. 15%
• Provide on-site technical assistance to agency personnel on the interpretation and application of soil survey information related to specific soil, water, air, plant, and animal resource concerns and plan, develop, and provide training in soil science and the use of soil survey information to NRCS and non-NRCS audiences. Training includes principles of soil science and the appropriate use of soil survey information in hardcopy and digital soil data formats. 15%
• Work with the RSS?s to develop or review land evaluation groupings using the Land Evaluation System and assist with the completion of the NRCS portion of Farmland and Conversion Impact Ratings (forms AD-1006 and CPA-106). 10%
  
  

Other

• Annual information system security, anti-harassment, and civil rights training.
• Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to satisfy the duties of the position.Up to 25% travel to field/projects sites such as wetland areas, forest sites, farms, construction sites, etc. throughout Florida and Government vehicle will be provided for this travel.
• Overnight travel: Government vehicle will be provided for transportation to various project sites throughout Florida.Very infrequently for site visits or some training sessions. Possibly 1 or 2 nights/quarter.
• 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.