A Great Place to Work

“A Great Place to Work” provides information about both Montana and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to those considering a career in conservation. NRCS can offer a long-term rewarding career that promotes a work/life balance. The NRCS was created during the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s when dust storms ravaged our Nation's farmland, stripping away millions of tons of topsoil. Since that time, NRCS has kept a commitment to protect and conserve natural resources on private lands.

NRCS provides services on a voluntary rather than a regulatory basis. Customers come to us to request services and to participate in Farm Bill programs. Our programs help those we serve implement conservation practices to improve and protect Montana's natural resources.

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A Great Place to Work (WMV; 16 minutes; 17.3 MB)

Transcript of "A Great Place to Work" Video

NARRATOR:
A career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is ideal for people who feel a heart tug at the sight of green mountain valleys, scenic forests and rivers. It is ideal for those with an interest and appreciation for colorful history, diversity of culture, and protection of our natural resources. It is ideal for people who have an interest in a profitable and sustainable agriculture. The NRCS is an agency whose roots can be found in the lessons taught by the great dust storms of the 1930s. Our soils, water, air, plants and animals need to be protected and conserved.

JEREMY NOT AFRAID, NRCS DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST:
To address that challenge our agency employs people with a diverse set of talents, skills and training. Here are some examples:

NARRATOR:
Soil conservationists.
This position requires a good deal of time in the field working with farmers and ranchers, foresters and other land users. These employees help agricultural producers and private landowners in Montana with conservation planning –Suggesting methods available to them to conserve the soil, improve water quality, manage nutrients, restore wetlands and protect and improve wildlife habitat.

WENDY WILLIAMS, NRCS SOIL CONSERVATIONIST:
A soil conservationist will also make presentations and demonstrate conservation techniques for clubs and organizations and will provide outreach for NRCS programs.

NARRATOR:
To qualify as a soil conservationist you should hold a bachelor’s degree or higher that includes a major field of study in soil conservation or a related discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education or agricultural engineering. You must demonstrate you’ve successfully completed 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science, of which 3 semester hours must be in soils and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science.

Soil Conservation Technician.
Technicians also work directly with farmers, ranchers and foresters. Technicians survey and design conservation practices, oversee installation, and ensure they meet the agency’s quality standards.

To qualify you need to demonstrate knowledge of farm and ranch operations or work experience that makes you familiar with conservation practices or education above high school which included courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science.

Soil Scientists.
Map and classify soils. They identify soil moisture or erosion problems. The Soil scientist learns to use digital and satellite imagery to map soils and write descriptions. The Soil scientists work with information on watersheds, water quality and land-use pattern changes.

To qualify a bachelor’s degree or higher in soil science or a closely related discipline that includes 30 semester hours or the equivalent in biological, physical or earth sciences with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology (which is the science of soil interactions, soil chemistry, soil chemistry, soil physics and soil fertility.

JENNIFER WOODWARD, RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST:
For those with an interest in livestock, wildlife and forage and prairie plants an interesting and challenging career can be found as a Rangeland Management Specialist.

NARRATOR:
This specialist helps to plan grazing systems designed to improve the quality of forage and other grazing land functions. Livestock production is a major industry in Montana and this work is of special significance to this State. Rangeland Management Specialists can identify for producers how to use their livestock as tools to improve and sustain natural resources. This person offers advice and support on water management, control of invasive weed species, and sustainable forage management.

To qualify you will need a bachelor’s degree or higher in range management or a related discipline. That should include at least 42 semester hours in a combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences and natural resource management. That would break down to 18 semester hours in range management; at least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal, and soil sciences.

TIM GRIFFITHS, NRCS BIOLOGIST:
NRCS biologists spend most of their working hours onsite – working with private landowners, other agencies and units of government providing technical support and advice on wildlife habitat development or restoration.

NARRATOR:
Work includes developing methods to manage fish and wildlife populations, restore streams and wetlands and improve habitat. You will need a bachelor’s degree or higher in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or other related disciplines.

NRCS employs a significant number of engineers with special skills in erosion control, water management, structural design, construction, hydraulics, soil mechanics, and environmental protection. Job assignments may include restoring streams, controlling erosion, developing water systems for livestock, improving and conserving irrigation water, or restoring wetlands. This job requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering. Specialties include agricultural, environmental and civil engineering.

STEWART GREER, NRCS ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN:
A related agency career is that of the engineering technician. This involves participation in planning, design, and construction work.

NARRATOR:
An engineering Technician may help survey land, plot survey information, lay out construction Measure and gather data, make computations, prepare maps and cross sections of profiles. You may even find yourself serving as a construction inspector on a wide variety of projects.

Qualifications for this job include experience on a survey crew running levels and transits or on construction layout and inspection or education above high school which included courses such as engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science or mathematics.

JEREMY NOT AFRAID, NRCS DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST:
It is important to mention here that both work and formal training can be combined to qualify for these jobs.

NARRATOR:
We can’t profile all the careers possible with NRCS but here’s a quick alphabetical rundown of the cornucopia of employment opportunities with the agency: Accounting, Agronomy, Business Administration, Cartography, Communications, Contracting, Ecology, Forestry, GIS-(Geographic Information Systems), Geology, Human Resources, Hydrology, Information Technology, Landscape Architecture, Legislative Affairs, Plant Sciences, Program and administrative support, Public Affairs, Purchasing Sociology, Watershed Management and Wetlands Science.

We don’t expect that most of our new employees will know what to do when they walk in the door their first day of work. We provide extensive training opportunity for all of our employees. An additional benefit to you, working with NRCS is the accessibility you have to a variety of seasoned experts. Natural Resource issues are often complex and often require a variety of skills to address problems. If you wonder how you would handle that here’s the NRCS response. You are not alone because regardless of your job title you will have access to and back-up from NRCS career specialists in all disciplines. NRCS believes in working together as a team. With each NRCS employee contributing skills we can tackle even the toughest of natural resource challenges.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is an equal opportunity employer and hires employees based on skills, knowledge, training, education, and work experience, people who are committed to action- without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, politics, sexual orientation, marital or family status.

In Montana, NRCS has offices in each County. NRCS has four multi-county area offices in the State and a management, technical and support team that oversees the state wide operation. Expertise and guidance is easily accessed when needed. NRCS wants its employees to succeed and provides each employee many opportunities for formal and on-the-job training. When you journey down an NRCS career path your advancement opportunity expands as you gain experience with a variety of work assignments in different locations.

NRCS offers excellent life and health insurance benefits, retirement plans, and flexible work schedules to help you balance the demands of your job with personal and family responsibilities.

BYRHONDA LYONS, NRCS STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM EMPLOYEE:
NRCS has an excellent student intern program in Montana for those who are still in school with an eye on a career with NRCS.

NARRATOR:
Selected high school and undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career with NRCS in Montana have the opportunity to apply for the Student Career Experience Program. A student trainee position provides for periods of study mixed with field application of conservation practices learned in the classroom. These positions can lead to careers that require related classes and a college degree.

Under a working agreement between NRCS and an educational institution, the student must perform a minimum of 640 study-related work hours before completion of the academic requirements for graduation. The student may work full-time during the summer and vacation periods or part-time while attending classes. Work is under the guidance of a trained NRCS employee.

Student work locations in Montana will vary each summer. Students must be able to intern at any of the Montana NRCS locations. Students are hired on a temporary basis subject to the terms of a career conditional appointment. Upon completion of the academic requirements and the minimum 640 work hours with NRCS students are eligible for non-competitive conversion to a career conditional appointment.

For more information on the Student Career Experience Program, contact the Human Resources Office at this address:
NRCS Human Resources
Montana State Office
Federal Building, Room 443
10 East Babcock Street
Bozeman, Montana 59715.

NRCS is an agency known worldwide for its accomplishments and innovations in conservation.

JEREMY NOT AFRAID, NRCS DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST:
Working to protect the environment in Montana, a state abundant with scenic and productive natural resources makes this experience memorable.

NARRATOR:
The state is the 4th largest in area behind Alaska, Texas and California – yet has the third lowest population density in the United States. Montana contains 77 named mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The economy is based on ranching and wheat farming, lumber, tourism, oil, coal and hard rock mining. All are at the epicenter of environmental and conservation issues.

Millions of visitors come to Montana to see Glacier National Park, the site of the historic Battle of the Little Big Horn, and three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park are in Montana. Montana is a land of many rivers and streams a number known for “blue ribbon” trout fishing. The largest natural fresh water lake West of the Great Lakes is Flathead Lake in Western, Montana. Man-made reservoirs dot Montana’s rivers, the largest is the Fort Peck Reservoir. There are rolling hills and scenic badlands.  If you are into winter sports, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking or just bird and wildlife watching Montana is a haven – often referred to as the nation’s last “best place.”  American Indian cultures can be explored with seven Tribal reservations, located in Montana, each steeped in history and legend.

JEREMY NOT AFRAID, NRCS DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST:
Challenging careers for native Americans, Montana natives or conservation workers looking for that special work experience can be found at NRCS in Montana.

NARRATOR:
Find additional information on the Montana NRCS web site at www.MT.nrcs.usda.gov. Montana and the Natural Resources Conservation Service – Both – A Great Place to Work.

Last Modified: 07/14/2009