Biologist

Biologist

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 wetland conservation practices and working with farm landowners. OR BA/BS Degree in Agriculture, natural resources, soil conservation.
• Valid State Driver's License.
• Professional experience as a Biologist for Wetland Reserve Easements.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint

Duties

• Provide support to the State Biologist and State Resource Conservationist on the biological components of wetland and waterbird management planning for easement activities under Farm Bill programs?such as WRP, ACEP-WRE, and ACEP-ALE?within California.
• Responsible for preparing, reviewing, and submitting Compatible Use Authorizations (CUAs) for Farm Bill program easements, ensuring they are routed to the appropriate delegated staff for approval. Provides technical assistance to customers to ensure all activities on Farm Bill easements are implemented, maintained, and monitored in accordance with applicable NRCS policies and regulations. Additional duties include conducting ownership reviews, performing onsite and off-site easement monitoring, and following up with easement holders?either in the field or in the office?to discuss easement requirements and management options. Also, responsible for identifying, drafting, and proposing notices of violation for review and approval by State Office Leadership and signature by the State Conservationist. Other duties may be assigned by the State Biologist and State Resource Conservationist. 40%
• In-field habitat assessments: Wildlife Habitat Assessment Guides and/or SVAP. 35%
• Provide training assistance to field office staff in assessment tools, conservation practice implementation requirements, and practice certification. 25%

Other:

• NRCS employees provide on-the-job training PowerPoint Presentations and Teleconferences.
• Travel

Requirements

• Occasionally required to meet with landowners on-site. Must be able to drive ? may be provided access to government owned vehicle

• Overnight travel: 1 or 2 times a month.

• 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.