Job Description
We are seeking a Conservation Reserve Program Specialist (CRSP) to join our team! You will be responsible for the management and delivery of technology-related projects across various departments. The primary purpose of the position will be to provide conservation assistance to agricultural and private landowners. This specialist will be a technical expert on all aspects of the Conservation Reserve Program, filling key needs to secure and improve conservation acres on the ground. Primary focuses will include data collection and consultation with agricultural producers about conservation plans for new CRP establishments, compiling CRP conservation options for prospective landowners, and providing technical information to landowners about mid-contract management practices necessary to maintain high-quality restorations throughout the duration of their CRP contracts. Land conservation specialists may also assist with annual Wetland Reserve Program/Wetland Reserve Easement (WRP/WRE) monitoring and administration as needed.
The Conservation Reserve Program Specialist or equivalent will provide the following support duties to the NRCS by: Conservation Planning Duties:
An estimated 850 plans need to be developed in support of general CRP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program), CCRP (Continuous Conservation Reserve Program), and Clear-30 applications, based on historical statewide signup activity. The following work is required under the conservation planning; the list is not all inclusive.
a. Assist with advance field reviews for needs and feasibility for each plan.
b. Assist with review of existing practices to ensure they will function as planned.
c. Assist with validation of Environmental Benefits Index rankings in order to complete resource assessments.
d. Assist with preparation of planning and support documents.
e. Assist with photo labeling after completing field reviews.
f. Assist with contacting applicants in advance of field appointments, and as needed as part of the planning process.
g. Assist with the development of site and plan maps.
Financial Assistance Duties: An estimated 850 number of contracts will be completed using the NRCS CPA-1155. An estimated 440 contract modifications will be completed as requested by Farm Service Agency (FSA), using the NRCS CPA 1156 form. An estimated 1,600 CRP pen and ink contract changes and/or concurrences will need to be completed as requested by FSA.
a. Assist NRCS with assuring all technical work performed meets NRCS technical requirements.
b. Assists NRCS with delivering technical assistance that ensures practice eligibility determinations for the Continuous CRP (CCRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), CRP- Grasslands, and the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP) are correct.
c. Providing conservation planning for all new and reenrolled acres, and updating conservation plans for CRP contract modifications.
d. Assist NRCS with completing or updating, as applicable, Conservation Plan of Operations (CPO) for new offers or CRP contract revisions.
e. Assist NRCS with determining if performance of a practice meets NRCS standards and specification and program criteria.
f. Assist NRCS with certifying all conservation practices installed, in accordance with the NRCS conservation practice standards.
g. Assist NRCS with verification of the technical assistance work as directed.
h. Assist NRCS in ensuring CRP practice establishment and performance success.
i. Assist NRCS with providing technical assistance to the participant and conduct the necessary site visits during the offer process and throughout the practice establishment period to final certification. In general, site visits will be performed to determine practice eligibility, for conservation practice certification, when haying or grazing is requested to ensure continued conservation practice integrity, and at least one year before contract expiration to confirm conservation practice operation and maintenance.
j. Assist NRCS with providing technical and planning assistance for contracts associated with the CRP-Transition Incentives Program.
k. Annually by December 1st, provide NRCS a report summarizing the locations and number of site visits conducted.
Checkout/Certification Duties: An estimated 1275 CRP practices will need to be certified.
a. Assists with the review of FSA provided support materials.
b. Assists with final assembly of the conservation plan support packets.
c. Assists with posting the support pack for DC review and signature.
d. Assists with approximately 420 follow-up status reviews needed to address any deficiencies and to identify needed follow-up actions.
e. Assists with processing any FSA requests for calculation concurrencies.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work,