NRCS Employment Opportunities

Careers with the Natural Resources Conservation Service

There are several careers available with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. They are unique, but have at least one thing in common - they require a commitment to protecting the United States' soil and water for future generations. 

View a short presentation on careers with NRCS in New Jersey or download the presentation below.

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New Jersey NRCS Recruitment Power Point Presentation (4.8 mb)

Online Federal Job Information

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM), USA Job Announcements
• Government jobs for students
• Student opportunities and internships

Student Interns

NRCS hires students under its Student Career Experience Program annually. If you are attending college or graduate school, you may qualify. You can work a flexible schedule while attending school. You'll work for and learn from NRCS professionals in your field of study. Participation in this program can open doors to exciting career possibilities. Many Natural Resources Conservation Service employees begin as student trainees. If you are attending college, you may qualify for these programs by alternating periods of work and education.

There also are opportunities to gain insight and job experience by becoming a volunteer for the NRCS Earth Team. Volunteers provide assistance to full-time employees of NRCS, and perform many of the same duties as NRCS professionals. To learn how to apply for jobs with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, contact the NRCS office nearest you.

Tips for getting a job

KSA's - (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) - This refers to an often required section of an employment application. It is a very important part of the application since there is no test for most professional government positions. The websites below have some basic tips on this section of the application.

• Jobs, Internships and Volunteering - The National Archives
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Department of Labor website

Career Professionals

NRCS career professionals work with private landowners to develop conservation plans that meet their personal goals and objectives.

Entry Level Opportunities

NRCS offers entry-level positions for those who are seeking opportunities to explore various options toward a meaningful career. What Careers Does NRCS Offer? NRCS offers career opportunities for college graduates and others who want to work in conservation and natural resources.

Soil Conservationists 

• offer conservation planning and technical assistance to farmers and local government officials,
• suggest ways to conserve the soil, improve water quality, manage nutrients, and protect and improve wildlife habitat,
• help people set local conservation priorities,
• plan, lay out, design, and implement conservation practices

Soil Conservation Technicians

• show clients how to install conservation practices and oversee the quality use of those practices,
• make follow-up visits to check the progress and results of the practices and update the landowner's conservation plan.

Engineers

• establish streambank and erosion control measures and water supply systems
• design waste management systems and concrete and earthen dams
• work with community leaders to address urban erosion, stormwater, or flooding concerns

Engineering Technicians

• survey the land
• plot data
• lay out and design construction measures
• inventory and correlate data
• make computations, prepare maps and cross sections of landscape profiles

Biologists

• provide technical support on fish and wildlife habitat development or wetland restoration
• suggest ways to manage fish and wildlife populations and restore or develop habitat.

Soil Scientists

• map and classify soils
• identify soil problems, such as compaction and erosion
• create digital soil maps and databases
• prepare and use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and resources
• sample soils and evaluate soil quality

Other Careers in NRCS

• Agricultural Economist
• Agronomist
• Archeologist
• Biologist
• Business Administration
• Accountants
• Office Assistants or Clerks
• Human Resource Management
• Cartographer
• Communications Specialists
• Computer Specialists
• Hardware and Software Specialists
• Systems Administrator
• Programmer
• Contract Specialists
• Environmental Specialist
• Forestry
• Agro Forester
• Forester
• Geographic Information Specialist
• Geologist
• Landscape Architect
• Resource Planning Specialist
• Sociologists
• And Much More!

Last Modified: May 27, 2008