Program Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Program Support Specialist ID: AMN1-027 Location: Bemidji Program: ACE
Wage/Hr: $20.00 - $24.99 Hours/Week: 32-40 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.

Description:

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 5 year(s) of experience in Microsoft Office and proficiency in Adobe Acrobat. Use of office automation equipment including scanner, and printer. Knowledge of computer internet security/ cyber security. Capable of basic letter writing and proficiency in written and verbal communications. OR HS/GED Degree in Business or Financial Management, Office Administration or related field of study.

• Must possess and maintain a 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 operation of a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight hours. Skill in operating personal computer software, as well as simple programming (including word processing, spreadsheets, email, file transfers, internet, time keeping, and databases), to research, tabulate, and analyze economic data, prepare correspondence, finalize documents, and foster work improvement. Other Requirements: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to pass the background investigation will result in termination of employment.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, ArcGIS
• Outlook, MS Teams, MS Sharepoint, etc Agency specific software: Conservation Desktop, Protracts,

Duties:

Work closely with staff within the team to delivers Farm Bill programs to producers.

• Incumbent reviews accuracy of documentation, compliance with regulations, and justification of vouchers, invoices, claims, statements and miscellaneous paperwork associated with program contracts; reviews/uploads program information into applicable database; and forwards completed document to financial management staff for payment.   40%
• Assemble contract folders according to program guidelines; review practice components to financial cost data; identify discrepancies to be fix prior to payment obligation.    25%
• Compile supporting documents to validate payment requests, ensure that payment requests comply with contract provisions and are within spending limits prior to submission of paymen   15%
• Track contract activities for progress and spot checking; compile findings into reports   10%
• erve as "backup" for reception, mailing, and record management. Assist with processing forms, maintaining program files, facilitate re-organization of all field office files to meet established protocol and maintain ledgers for training, and workload/program contracts   10%

• Depending on assigned duties, On the Job and other NRCS provided trainings may be necessary to complete assigned duties.
• updated training needed for policies or procedures
• 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.