Agronomist

Agronomist
ID:
AVT1-006
Location:
Colchester
Program:
ACE

Wage/Hr:
$31.39
Hours/Week:
15
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 Performing work in a Natural Resource Management and/or conservation planning and technical assistance role OR BA/BS Degree in Natural sciences

• The individual must demonstrate strong agronomic expertise, ideally serving as a Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner with the ability to independently develop and review conservation plans. A Certified Crop Advisor or similar credential is highly desirable, along with a solid understanding of nutrient management and integrated pest management principles. The position requires a thorough grasp of the NRCS 9-step conservation planning process and the ability to train and mentor NRCS and partner staff in its application. A high level of ECS Job Approval Authority is expected to ensure technical accuracy and quality assurance for agronomic practices. The individual must work effectively both independently and as part of a team, producing technically sound work that meets NRCS standards and withstands periodic quality reviews.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, ArcGIS
• CART, National Resource Inventory Database, Integrated Data for Enterprise Analysis, EFOTG

Duties:

The individual will operate out of the White River Junction NRCS Field Office and will provide agronomic technical assistance to NRCS by supporting field offices and partner staff in the delivery of conservation planning and Farm Bill program implementation. Responsibilities include training employees in the NRCS 9-step planning process with emphasis on identifying agronomic resource concerns, evaluating conservation practice options, and supporting implementation through field reviews and technical guidance. The position will conduct conservation plan reviews for EQIP and Conservation Planner Certification, ensuring alignment with NRCS policy and technical standards. Additional duties include providing ECS job approval support, assisting with updates to the Field Office Technical Guide, and reviewing resource analysis tools to ensure they reflect current agronomic science and state-specific conditions. This role strengthens statewide technical capacity and supports consistent, high-quality conservation delivery.This position will work in a hybrid capacity:Agency Office: 50%Remote: 25%Field/Site: 25%

• Agronomic Technical Assistance 40%
• Conservation Plan Review (EQIP and Conservation Planner Certification) 20%
• ECS Job Approval 15%
• Field Office Technical Guide and resource analysis tools review/update 15%
• Train and support NRCS and Partner employees 10%

Other:

• Training will be provided in-house by NRCS staff related to NRCS programs and processes.
• Travel Requirements: This position requires access to a vehicle. Incumbent will be required to operate a vehicle to visit field sites and offices.
• Health and Safety Considerations: The primary duties will be performed in office settings. Office conditions may involve sitting for extended periods of time, use of a computer and keyboard, and the lifting of boxes.
• 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.