Earth Team Volunteer Lends Her Abilities to NRCS

Volunteer: Kayla Higgins
Location: Jordan Field Office, Montana
Volunteer Job Title: Office Assistant/Morale Booster

Being an Earth Team Volunteer was Kayla’s first job. She began volunteering in August of 2006, the beginning of her senior year of high school. Since then, she has proven to be an invaluable member of the Jordan Field Office team.

Kayla completes general office tasks, including managing postal supplies, making address labels, answering phones, taking messages, and greeting customers. The list goes on, but what really makes Kayla invaluable is her ability to use the computer. Kayla develops conservation plan maps in ArcMap, saving NRCS employees’ time and providing a quality product to NRCS customers. “Learning ArcMap has been my biggest challenge," said Kayla. "I’d never seen an aerial photo or topographic map before. Now I use them all the time and even understand the land survey system.” Kayla is also capable of checking and entering data in ProTracts, PRS, and Customer Service Toolkit.

On days when the field office staff is out of the office, Kayla can be counted on to staff the office the entire day. NRCS customers have commented on Kayla's professionalism and on how nice it is to have someone always in the office instead of being greeted by a closed door with a note.

Kayla does all this even though she has Osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bone disease. Kayla is two and one-half feet tall and motors around in an electric chair. She is very mobile and quick with a keyboard and mouse.

“We’ve come to count on Kayla," said Sue FitzGerald, NRCS district conservationist for the Jordan field office. "She takes care of a lot of our data entry workload as well as general office tasks—photocopying, developing mailing labels, answering the phone . . . the list goes on.”

When asked why she keeps coming back, Kayla stated, “I like the work and the accessibility. I’ve been able to improve my office skills and learn new ones. Working with the other employees and producers in the office is a real treat.”

Kayla encourages others to volunteer through the Earth Team Program. “It’s been a great experience for me. Completing the work I have accomplished for the NRCS feels really good because I know I’m helping others."

“I like the work and the accessibility. I’ve been able to improve my office skills and learn new ones. Working with the other employees and the producers in the office is a real treat.”

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Last Modified: 04/29/2008