You Can Make A Difference!

1. You Can Make A Difference! Challenging Careers in the Natural Resources Conservation Service

2. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) needs people who are committed to action.

3. NRCS is looking for people who want to apply their education and experience to make sure that all of us enjoy the benefits of...

4. Clean Water

5. and healthy, productive soil.

6. You can be one of those people!

7. About NRCS…Before we discuss the people and careers of NRCS, here is some information about NRCS and its importance as a conservation leader.

8. Who We Are... NRCS was created as the Soil Erosion Service during the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. Dust storms and gullies ravaged the Nation’s farmland, stripping away millions of tons of topsoil.

9. Who We Are... Huge dust clouds carried the soil hundreds of miles, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The soil was depleted and farms failed.

10. Who We Are... Since that time, NRCS has kept it’s commitment to protecting and conserving soil and other natural resources on America’s private lands.

11. Who We Are... We work with customers to help them reduce erosion, protect wildlife, promote good land use, and preserve the Nation’s natural resources.

12. Who We Are At NRCS, we take pride in our partnerships. We work with local Land Conservation Departments and others to help people conserve natural resources.

13. What’s Great About NRCS? • You will work with great people who love the land, forests and wildlife. • NRCS is recognized as a global leader in soil science and technology. • You can see the difference you make every day on the landscape.

14. Who Are We Looking for? NRCS is looking for dedicated people seeking the opportunity to preserve our natural resources.

15. Where Do You Fit In? • NRCS Opportunities Include: • Student Employment • Career Internships • Professional and Technical Careers • Earth Team Volunteers

16. Who Are We Looking for? Student Employment NRCS offers entry-level positions for those who are seeking opportunities to explore various options toward a meaningful career.

17. Who Are We Looking for? Student Employment NRCS hires students under its Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). If you are attending college or graduate school, you may qualify. You can work a flexible schedule while attending school. You’ll work for and learn from NRCS professionals in your field of study. Participation in this program can open doors to exciting career possibilities.

18. Career Interns NRCS offers career internship for recent graduates in professional and technical fields. Additional formal and on-the-job training will be provided. Interns can be hired for permanent positions upon completion of a 2-year internship.

19. Who Are We Looking for? Professional and Technical Careers NRCS career professionals work with private landowners to develop conservation plans that meet their personal goals and objectives.

20. Who Are We Looking for? Earth Team Volunteers The Earth Team Volunteer Program needs your skills and talents. The program offers outstanding and exciting opportunities for people in search of professional work experience or who just want to do their part to preserve and protect the natural resources.

21. What Careers Does NRCS Offer? NRCS offers career opportunities for college graduates and others who want to work in conservation and natural resources

22. Careers in NRCS Agronomy Biology Business Cartography Communications Computer Technology Economics Engineering Forestry Geographic Information Systems

23. More Careers in NRCS... Hydrology Human Resources Plant Science Soil Conservation Soil Science Watershed Management Wetland Science

24. NRCS Careers... Soil Scientists • map and classify soils • identify soil problems, such as compaction and erosion • create digital soil maps and databases • prepare and use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and resources • sample soils and evaluate soil quality

25. NRCS Careers ... Soil Conservationists • offer conservation planning and technical assistance to farmers and local government official, • suggest ways to conserve the soil, improve water quality, manage nutrients, and protect and improve wildlife habitat • help people set local conservation priorities • plan, layout, design, and implement conservation practices

26. NRCS Careers... Soil Conservation Technicians • show clients how to install conservation practices and oversee the quality use of those practices • make follow-up visits to check the progress and results of the practices and update the landowner’s conservation plan

27. NRCS Careers... Engineers • establish streambank and erosion control measures and water supply systems • design waste management systems and concrete and earthen dams • work with community leaders to address urban erosion, stormwater, or flooding concerns

28. NRCS Careers... Engineering Technicians • survey the land • plot data • layout and design construction measure • inventory and correlate data • make computations • prepare maps and cross sections of landscape profiles.

29. NRCS Careers... Biologists • Provide technical support on fish and wildlife habitat development or wetland restoration • Suggest ways to manage fish and wildlife populations and restore or develop habitat.

30. Placement and Salary PlacementNRCS has more than 2,500 field locations throughout the United States. In Wisconsin, NRCS has more than 75 field, area, soil survey and project offices. SalaryStarting salaries are competitive with those of state and local government agencies and the private sector.

31. Training and Advancement TrainingMany opportunities for on-the-job and classroom training. AdvancementMany promotional and transfer opportunities are available nationwide.

32. Employee Benefits Insurance Health Dental Life Long-term Care Retirement Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan (403B)

33. Employee Benefits • Vacation (13 days earned the 1st year) • Sick Leave • Flexible Work Schedules

34. Us Out! • Try us out as an Earth Team Volunteer! • Visit a NRCS professional in your career field in one of our field offices • Visit our website at www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov

35. Us Out For more information, please contact: Karl Gilbertson Human Resources Manager 608-662-4422 x 276 karl.gilbertson@wi.usda.gov

36. Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

37. For current job listings and other important information: www.usajobs.opm.gov On this website you can check out NRCS opportunities across the nation. Fill out a resume on-line and be notified of job openings in your area of interest

38. You CAN make a difference!

39. Questions and Answers