Being Age 55 or Older is Good for The Environment! The Agricultural Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program offers unique opportunities in Scientific, Technical, and Agricultural support for individuals age 55 and over to support the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a grant administered program awarded to National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions). This is a unique program where your talents, expertise and experience will truly be valued. The ACES program provides an opportunity to work side-by-side with NRCS staff that are doing important work every day. 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. NOTE: 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. 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, which is established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS and administered by NEW Solutions.

Duties:

This position will involve travel throughout the state; therefore the qualified applicant can be from anywhere within the state of Missouri. Provide technical support to the State Cultural Resources Specialist, utilizing a basic understanding of anthropological and archaeological field techniques in connection with locating, testing, and evaluating cultural resource sites. Conducts pre-field office research, field surveys, and site evaluations, using a variety of reference materials, interviews with source individuals, aerial photographs, and technical instruments. Searches areas of proposed projects for evidence of historic and prehistoric remains. Determines the exact location of sites and marks them on maps and aerial photographs. Records information on the site survey form and prepares an archaeological reconnaissance report needed for evaluation and management of the project. Ensures that work assignments are carried out in a safe and timely manner according to established standards and procedures. Reviews work in progress and reports to superiors relative to the completion date and other standards set in the report.

• Provides archeology/cultural resources assessments on specifically-assigned projects to facilitate agency objectives. 50%
• Works directly with NRCS staff to complete surveys/assessments in support of overall agency objectives that are typically part of Farm Bill cost-share programs. 50%

Qualifications:

Minimum of 20 year(s) of experience in cultural resources work. OR BA/BS Degree in Archaeology, Anthropology or related field.

• Valid State Driver’s license; Knowledge of cultural resources processes, including site survey/assessment protocol and report writing. A valid Missouri driver’s license is required. Registered Professional Archaeologist accreditation is preferred as well as being able to meet SOI requirements for an archaeologist.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access
• PowerPoint, Conservation Desktop and related USDA software. ARCGIS and Adobe Acrobat experience may be helpful.

Other:

• Annual information system security, anti-harassment, and civil rights training. Selected candidate required under NRCS policy to complete Cultural Resources Training Modules1-8. This is a one-time requirement.
• Travel Requirements: Travel to assigned field offices and field sites for coordination, training, and landowner assistance.
• Overnight travel: Up to five (5) nights of travel per month.
• Air travel anticipated: Not anticipated.
• Health and Safety Considerations: Duties may require outdoors exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Enrollee should come to work prepared for the appropriate conditions.
• Required Safety Gear: Enrollee should wear clothing suitable for inclement weather as necessary.