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Agricultural Conservation Enrollees/Seniors (ACES) Project

NRCS partnered with the National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC) to implement a pilot project called Agricultural Conservation Enrollees/Seniors (ACES). The objective of ACES is to obtain experienced older workers to support NRCS employees to meet very high conservation workload demands. NRCS has undertaken a pilot or demonstration project in selected locations to explore the feasibility of expanding the effort throughout the agency. Agricultural Conservation Enrollees/Seniors (ACES) is a cost effective recruitment opportunity to obtain the services of experienced workers age 40 and older on a temporary basis through an agreement with NOWCC.

Chief Bruce Knight authorized a team to explore establishing legislation to institute a NRCS senior employment program very much like the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program of the EPA. Congress authorized the EPA, under the Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984, “....to enter into cooperative agreements with private, nonprofit organizations to utilize older workers (at least 55 years old) to provide technical assistance to Federal, State, and/or local environmental agencies on projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control. NRCS is developing a concept based upon the existing statutory authorities under the SEE program.

In addition, NRCS is working with NOWCC to place 27 participants in 6 states (CO, GA, KS, MN, MS, and UT) and 1 Center (WNTSC). NHQ will also participate in the pilot. VA requested 9 additional positions beginning in October 2005. Each area identified positions that range from clerical (level 2) to professional (level 4) and committed funds to support the positions. These positions cannot displace NRCS employees and participants enrolled in the pilot are not considered a federal employee. Participants work between 20-40 hours a week assisting a NRCS employee. They earn benefits and if retired, their retirement annuity is not impacted by the stipend they receive from NOWCC. Stipends (hourly wage by level is: $6.75, $8.16, $9.56, and $11.81) are low but have been sufficient to attract participants to the 20 year old EPA program. An additional 25% for benefits and 15% administrative fee is an associated cost of each position.

NOWCC is a nonprofit organization that will recruit, administer, and pay the participants to assist NRCS employees. NOWCC screens the applicants and forward qualified ones to NRCS for interviews. NRCS conducts the interview and recommends the applicant for placement. ACES participants are not considered NRCS employees.

The National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC) posts (ACES) positions on their website: www.nowcc.org

- Click on the link "View Open Positions"
- Click on the state of interest to browse positions.
Currently CO, GA, KS, MN, MS, UT, NHQ, and the WNSTC (Oregon) are posted unless filled.
- Scroll down the listing to find positions with the following demarcation:
Program: NCEP Program (identifier used by NOWCC to distinguish NRCS positions)
Minimum Age: 40

Applicants can complete the online application or mail a copy to NOWCC as instructed in the website. Basic instructions are to complete the application and forward it to the appropriate NOWCC field office.

NRCS offices must contact the National Coordinator for an ACES starter package (position description template, cost worksheet, guidelines and website information). The State must establish a State Coordinator, identify positions and associated funds and complete an allowance transfer in the amount of the cost of their positions. The National Coordinator must approve the positions and work with NOWCC to post the position on their website. NRCS will eventually place the information on its website.

NOWCC enrolled the first participant on July 25, 2005. Currently 14 of the 27 (36 counting VA) positions in the pilot have been filled. The NOWCC agreement obligates over $484,000 for a 3-year period. The legislation is in the clearance process approval by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Questions regarding the ACES Program in MS should be directed to Matleaner Spann, State Administrative Officer, at 601-965-5205 ext. 149 or matleaner.spann@ms.usda.gov.




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