Program Support Specialist

Program Support Specialist

100% Onsite NRCS Agency Office: 1005 High Avenue - Willmar, MN 56201

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.

Duties:

Work closely with Area staff to deliver Farm Bill programs to producers.

• Incumbent reviews accuracy of documentation, compliance with regulations and policy, processing of workload paperwork associated with conservation compliance; reviews/uploads program information into applicable databases and forwards completed documents to applicable offices, staff, databases, customers.   40%
• Assemble contract folders according to program guidelines; reviews components of the agency record, identifies discrepancies, provides needed corrections to appropriate staff.   25%
• Compile supporting documents to validate payment requests, ensures that requests comply with policy provisions.   15%
• Provides initial review of written correspondence for staff. Maintains record of staff meetings and staff calendars.   10%
• Serve as "backup" for reception, mailing, and record management. Assist with processing forms, maintaining program files, facilitate re-organization of all compliance team and field office files to meet established protocol and maintain ledgers for training, and workload/program contracts.   10%

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 AA 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
• Conservation Desktop, Protracts, MS SharePoint, Outlook, MS Teams

Other:

• Depending on assigned duties, on the job and other NRCS provided trainings may be necessary to complete assigned duties.
• on the job.
• Travel Requirements: We bring staff together a few times a year for 2-4 days to do focused in person, small group work meetings in a centralized location. This person may end up helping with these efforts.
• Overnight travel: Multi-day, overnight travel required two to three times per year.
• Physical requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.