Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineer

ID:AMN1-030Location:FaribaultProgram:ACE

Wage/Hr:$40.00 - $45.00Hours/Week:32-40Minimum Age:55

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

Description:

This position is a non-federal role funded through an existing agreement betweenNRCS and NEW Solutions. The enrollee will provide direct support to farmers andlandowners, enabling the implementation of conservation practices on the ground.This role contributes to NRCS's mission by enhancing capacity in field officesand ensuring timely assistance to producers. It is designed to free up NRCSstaff for emergency and high-priority responses, not to replace federal staff.

This role helps ensure continued progress on conservation planning, practiceimplementation, and technical assistance, especially in high-demand ordisaster-affected areas. It aligns with the Administration's priorities forfarmer-first, field-facing, and partner-enabled capacity expansion.

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) hasspecialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time andpart-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of FederalAgencies across the United States.

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the Natural ResourcesConservation Services (NRCS). These are experienced professionals who providetechnical and professional assistance to the Department of Agriculture for theAgriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program.

Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium for positions budgeted at 60+ hours perpay period, Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid Federal Holidays, and optionalVision and Dental Insurance available for positions budgeted at 35+ hours perpay period.

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period.Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions istemporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee isan ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminateenrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and theAgency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

PLEASE NOTE: An ?ACES Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee ofNEW Solutions. An ?ACES Enrollee? is a participant in a grant programestablished through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS andadministered by NEW Solutions.

This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the UnitedStates.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 20 year(s) of experience in Wetland and Agricultural engineering toimplement conservation practices on private lands. Microsoft Office andproficiency in Adobe Acrobat. Use of office automation equipment includingscanner, and printer. Knowledge of computer internet security/ cyber security.Ability to understand maps, coordinate system and projections and basic GISdata, field application of GPS Photo Interpretation skills, basic letter writingand proficiency in written and verbal communications. Experience withimplementation of conservation practices on private land. Experience with Surveygrade engineering equipment and AutoCAD. OR BA/BS Degree in Engineering

Must have an active Professional Engineer License. Must possess and maintaina 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 operationof a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight hours andoccasionally after dark. May require the operation of a ATV/UTV on both publicand private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark. Skill inoperating personal computer software, as well as simple programming (includingword processing, spreadsheets, email, file transfers, internet, time keeping,and databases), in order to research, tabulate, and analyze economic data,prepare correspondence, finalize documents, and foster work improvement. BasicGIS certification, GPS training and proficiency. Possess practical knowledge ofthe methods and techniques of conservation as they relate to agriculturaloperations and of NRCS conservation standards and specifications to certifypractices installed correctly. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Carry equipment and toolswhile conducting field work, routinely lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds.Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/orfingerprint check. Failure to pass the background investigation will result intermination of employment.Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, ARCVIEW (GIS)Outlook, MS Teams, MS Sharepoint, etc. working knowledge of ArcGIS, and CADDDuties:

Assist the State, Area and Field Offices with program support activities in theimplementation of layout and designs of engineering practices.

In consultation with the supervisor, develops designs and construction plansfor traditional and complex projects that utilize engineering practices such aswaterways grade stabilization structures, streambank protection, wetlandrestorations, animal waste control systems, and others using tools such as GPSsurvey grade units and Civil 3D CADD throughout the State. 30%Provide on-site consultation to field staff and contractors along withconstruction inspection services during construction of engineering practicesthroughout the State. 30%Complete field visits and checkouts related to Farm Bill funded conservationpractices. Have knowledge of NRCS conservation standards and specifications inorder to certify practices installed correctly throughout the State 20%Provide training on engineering equipment, software, and design tools toentry level staff throughout the State 20%

Other:Depending on assigned duties, On the Job and other NRCS provided trainingsmay be necessary to complete assigned duties.OJT, NRCS offered technical trainingsOvernight travel: Optional occasionally depending on locations of sitevisits, meetings, and trainings.Health and Safety Considerations: Performs duties in a supportive manner ofa safe and healthy work environment. Exercises caution and maintain all safetyrequirements when exposed to dangerous objects, chemicals, and extremetemperatures. The work requires regular and recurring exposure to operatingagricultural equipment requiring safety precautions; protective gear andclothing are necessary at such times. There may be exposure to inclementweather, poisonous insects and animals, and irritating plants. The conservationwork requires regular and recurring physical exertion, prolonged walking onrough terrain, crossing ditches and furrows, and/or climbing steep banks. Carryequipment and tools while conducting field work, routinely lifting or carryingup to 50 pounds.Required Safety Gear: Agency will provide the following items if needed:safety vest, hard hat.Safety Gear Use: NRCS will provide a cell phone for emergency calls that mayarise in the field. Enrollee will provide the following items: Attireappropriate to field and weather conditions for working outside in Minnesotayear-round, appropriate footwear for field and weather conditions for spendinglong hours outside in Minnesota year round.Physical requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of thisposition.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environmentfree from discrimination and harassment in any form administering ExperiencedWorker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEWSolutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equalopportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants inthe federal programs.