NAME:

LOCATION:

GRADE:

DATE PREPARED:

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EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT PROFICIENCY

EVALUATION

ACTION PLAN

SUBJECT

PROFICIENCY LEVELS

PROFICIENCY EXPECTATION

LEVEL ACHIEVED

EMPLOYEE (date and initialed)

SUPERVISOR OR TRAINER (date and initial)

Comments

1. Conservation Planning

000019 Conservation Planning Course Modules 1-5 (Web-based) (NEDC)

A. Basic Planning Principles, Policies, and Procedures

000019 Conservation Planning modules 6-9, State/Area Staff (OJT)

Independently writes ______ Resource Management Systems (RMS) Conservation Plans on _______ acres. Plans will be developed on at least 2 land uses and multi-cropping/forage systems and/or species to address SWAPA + human concerns. Plans are reviewed and approved by NRCS Certified Planners, as designated by the Area Conservationist with concurrence of the State Resource Conservationist. This person is proficient in conservation planning and can train others. Maximum Proficiency is demonstrated by evaluation of or presentation of one RMS by the candidate to the designated person(s) assigned by the AC or SRC.

1. Conservation Planning Principles

Core 4, State/Area Staff (OJT)

Ability to evaluate the resource concerns to independently implement and apply conservation practices.

2. Plant and Weed Identification - Common to Duty Station

000115 Agricultural Waste Management Systems A Primer (NEDC)

Ability to apply independently and train others on the process of application, eligibility, cost estimation, ranking, plan requirements and contract requirements.

3. Nutrient Management Principles

000116 Nutrient and Pest Mgt. Considerations in Conservation Planning (Tracks 1 and 2) (NEDC)

Knowledge of the technology and tools needed for conservation planning. Will be proficient in the use of all planning tools and can train others.

4. Pest Management Principles

000033 Complete Introduction to Water Quality (NEDC)

Must have an overall understanding of soil quality & its importance to agricultural production. Must understand the importance of the Soil Quality Index & its applications for USDA/NRCS programs. Must be able to recognize soil quality concerns, communicate those concerns to land managers & users, & provide alternatives to remedy those concerns in a manner that meets all requirements of the agency & the land manager and user. Be able to point out the importance of soil quality to NRCS activities & programs. Must know the importance of soil quality to USDA/NRCS programs: Soil survey, CRP, EQIP, WRP, Buffer Initiative, and CSP. Must be able to integrate soil quality into the conservation planning process using the “Guidelines for Soil Quality Assessment in Conservation Planning."

5. Water Quality Principles

Complete MS marketing skills courses (OJT)

Basic knowledge of the principles of prescribed grazing and understanding of the various grazing systems and the importance of regrowth periods. Be able to identify the basic forages grown in Mississippi and their areas of adaptation. Be proficient in use of grazing lands tools (MS Graze, PCS). To understand alternatives to solving resource problems in grazing lands related to soil, water, plants, animals, and air. Understanding of forage growth and its relationship to forage quality. Understand legume interaction on forage quality. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of various grazing systems. To plan your solutions which include WHM.

6. Effective Communication

000007 Effective Interpersonal Skills (NEDC)

7. CNMP certification - Duty Station Specific

MS Planning Policy 180 GM (OJT)

8. Planning Environment

Performs with Supervision ______ Resource Management Systems (RMS) Conservation Plans on _______ acres. Plans will be developed on at least 2 land uses and multi-cropping/forage systems and/or species to address SWAPA + human concerns. Plans are reviewed and approved by NRCS Certified Planners, as designated by the Area Conservationist with concurrence of the State Resource Conservationist.

Be able to apply independently the necessary knowledge and skills to evaluate the resource concerns to implement and apply conservation practices.

2. Conservation Planning Application

Soil Loss Prediction Training, State/Area Staff (OJT)

Be able to perform with supervision the process of application, eligibility, cost estimation, ranking, plan requirements and contract requirements.

A. Knowledge of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

000141 Cultural Resources Training Series Modules 1-6, Web-Based (NEDC)

Knowledge of the technology and tools needed for conservation planning. Ability to apply all planning tools independently will be essential for developing these plans.

B. Knowledge of Ephemeral Gully Erosion Prediction

000141 Cultural Resources, Modules 7-8, State/Area Staff (OJT)

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C. Knowledge of Classic Gully Erosion Gross Estimation

D. Knowledge of County Soils Information

County Soil Survey Report, State/Area Staff (OJT)

E. Knowledge of Cultural Resources

F. Knowledge of Wildlife Habitat Principles, Practices and Assessment Tools./Knowledge of Local Threatened and Endangered Species/Invasive Species

000158 Fish and Wildlife Management (NEDC)/State/Area Staff (OJT)

5/7

G. Knowledge of State, Tribal, and Local Laws

000126 Conservation Buffers (NEDC)

Be able to develop with supervision _____ Resource Management Systems (RMS) Conservation Plans on _______ acres. Plans will be developed on at least 2 land uses.

H. Knowledge of Conservation Practices commonly used at Field Office

US Census of Agriculture (OJT)

Be able to evaluate with supervision the resource concerns to implement and apply conservation practices.

I. Knowledge of the FOTG

000149 Introduction to FOTG (NEDC)

Be able to perform with supervision the process of application, eligibility, cost estimation, ranking, plan requirements and contract requirements.

J. Knowledge of County Geographic Information

MS Job Approval Authority Policy, State/Area Staff (OJT)

Knowledge of the technology and tools needed for conservation planning. Ability to perform with supervision will be essential for developing these plans.

1. Client Demographics

Conservation Program Manual, State/Area Staff (OJT)

Must have an overall understanding of soil quality and its importance to agricultural production. Must understand the importance of the soil quality index and its applications for USDA/NRCS programs.

2. Work Area Land Use Acreage

Basic knowledge of the principles of prescribed grazing and understanding of the various grazing systems and the importance of regrowth periods.

3. Average Soil Loss Erosion Rates

4. Total Acreage In County

5. Average Farm Size

K. Ability to survey, design, and checkout basic engineering conservation practices common to the duty station and have basic engineering job approval authority.

TR 62 Engineering Layout Notes, staking and calculations/Sec. IV MS FOTG Area Staff (OJT)

John's

3. Knowledge of Conservation Programs

Conservation Program Manuals/State Directives and Bulletions, State/Area Staff (OJT)

Must have an overall understanding of soil quality and its importance to agricultural production. Must understand the importance of the soil quality index and its applications for USDA/NRCS programs. Must understand the difference between inherent and management induced soil quality, recognize and use soil quality indicators, and relate the importance of organic matter to soil quality. Describe and prepare site descriptions and understand the importance of documentation and measurements that will be made in the field. Be able to point out the importance of soil quality to NRCS activities and programs.

A. Objectives

Must have an overall understanding of soil quality and its importance to agricultural production. Must understand the importance of the soil quality index and its applications for USDA/NRCS programs. Must be able to recognize soil quality concerns, communicate those concerns to land managers and users. Must be able to explain the differences between inherent and dynamic (management induced) soil quality. Must be able to recognize and use soil quality indicators. Be able to explain and perform site measurements and describe tools used for soil quality assessment. Describe and prepare site descriptions and understand the importance of documentation and measurements that will be made in the field. Must be able to interpret soil quality field measurements. Must understand how to use the “Soil Quality Test Kit Guide” and the “Interpretive Guide for Individual Tests”. Be able to point out the importance of soil quality to NRCS activities and programs. Must know the importance of soil quality to USDA/NRCS programs.

B. Application Process

Must have an overall understanding of soil quality & its importance to agricultural production. Must understand the importance of the Soil Quality Index & its applications for USDA/NRCS programs. Must be able to recognize soil quality concerns, communicate those concerns to land managers & users, & provide alternatives to remedy those concerns in a manner that meets all requirements of the agency & the land manager & user. Must be able to explain the differences between inherent & dynamic (management induced) soil quality. Must be able to recognize soil quality indicators. Must be able to interpret soil quality field measurements. Must understand how to use the “Soil Quality Test Kit Guide” & the “Interpretive Guide for Individual Tests”. Must be able to describe tools used for soil quality assessments. Be able to point out the importance of soil quality to NRCS activities & programs. Must know the importance of soil quality to USDA/NRCS programs. Must be able to integrate soil quality into the conservation planning process using the “Guidelines for Soil Quality Assessment in Conservation Planning."

C. Eligibility Requirements

D. Ability to estimate Practice Installation Cost

E. Ranking Process

F. Contract Management

1. Documentation

2. Modification

3. Cancellation

G. ProTracts

4. Computer Technology and Planning Tools

Computer Technology & Planning Tools, State/Area Staff (OJT)

A. Customer Service Tool Kit

B. Soil Condition Index Worksheet

C. Mississippi MMP (Ag. Waste)

D. RUSLE2

E. Progress Reporting System (PRS)

F. Knowledge of Mapping Tools

1. ArcGIS

2. U.S. Quadangles

3. GPS

4. Aerial Photography

5. Satellite Imagery

5. Soil Quality Assessment and Applications For Field Staff

000050 Soil Quality Assessment and Applications for Field Staff (NEDC & State/Area Staff (OJT)

A. Define soil quality and describe its importance

Conservation Tillage Demonstrations and Field Days, State/Area Staff (OJT)

B. Explain soil quality indicators, and relate the importance of organic matter to soil quality

C. Describe documentation

D. Make an assessment and an appropriate level of interpretation of soil quality measurements and observations

E. Prescribe practices and develop management strategies that enhance soil quality

F. Identify tillage implements and their effects on soil quality

G. Discuss soil quality outreach with our customers

H. Point out the importance of soil quality to NRCS activities

6. Plant/Animal Interaction and Management

Grazing Lands Management, GSAT, NUTBAL

A. Knowledge of Prescribed Grazing

Plant ID (State/Area Staff (OJT)

B.. Knowledge of Grassland Inventories (MS Graze, PCS, NUTBAL)

000045 Working Effectively with Livestock Producers (NEDC)

C. Safety (Biosecurity)

000032 Plant Herbivore Interactions (NEDC)

D. Plant and Weed ID common to duty station

000030 Pasture Ecology I (NEDC)

Introduction to Pasture Management, State/Area Staff (OJT)