A message to all TSPs from National TSP Team Leader, ANGEL L. FIGUEROA
|
September, 2008 — FY 09 Information Security and Privacy Awareness Training
|
October 1 marks the beginning of a new training year for the USDA information security and privacy awareness course that all employees, contractors, and partners are mandated to complete. Last year, Technical Service Providers (TSP's) were given exemptions; however, this fiscal year you are required to complete the training along with everyone else who has an active AgLearn account. If you have an Active Directory account (e.g. John.Smith@oh.usda.gov, John.Smith@nacdnet.net) you are required to take the information security and privacy awareness training.
All other TSP accounts are in the process of being deactivated. If you have a need to take any online course(s) and cannot access the system because your account is inactive please contact your state TSP coordinator and they will have your account reactivated. Once the online course(s) have been completed make sure print a copy of the certificate to keep for your records. Once your certificates are printed you will need to notify your state TSP coordinator that you have completed the course(s). He/She will then have your AgLearn account deactivated. This keeps you from being required to take the security and privacy awareness course.
|
West (CLEANmp) Program Announcement
|
July, 2008 —Comprehensive Livestock Environmental Assessment and Nutrient Management Plan –
West (CLEANmp) Program Announcement |
ACES Funding Opportunity
|
July, 2008 —
ACES Funding Opportunity - Full Announcement |
TSP Training News October 2007
|
October, 2007 —
Clean Water Legacy Builds Technical Capacity for Clean-Up Efforts |
New TSP Orientation Course
|
September, 2006 — A new course titled “TSP Orientation” has been added as a training requirement for new TSPs applying for certification for the first time. The course is optional for current TSPs and NRCS employees. The course gives the learners the knowledge necessary to participate in the USDA TSP initiative. It also defines the roles and responsibilities of TSPs and others. A link to the course is found in the “Online Resources” section under “Training” on this page or go to AgLearn at
http://www.aglearn.usda.gov. |
AgLearn replaces eLearn
|
| July, 2006 — Please note the NRCS modules referenced in the TSP categories and criteria can be found on AgLearn at
http://www.aglearn.usda.gov. eLearn has been discontinued. |
Technical
Service Providers Must Renew Certification Agreements
|
Technical Service Providers must renew their certification agreements every
three years as required by NRCS policy. The first wave of certification
agreements expires in March 2006. During certification renewals, NRCS staff
will review a technical service provider’s application, criteria and
qualifications. This became necessary because the technical service provider’s
final rule, published in November 2004, eliminated self-certification. The rule
now requires state conservationists to approve certification agreements.
Eventually, renewals will impact every technical service provider registered in
TechReg. NRCS will alert technical service providers via e-mail of their
expiration date based on their original certification agreement. This advance
notice will instruct technical service providers how to renew. TSPs no longer
interested in participating can use the renewal process to opt out.
New certifications will be based on updated technical service categories, which
took effect January 2006. Please review the technical service categories
closely before you renew your certification. Review the entire certification
application to ensure the technical service provider categories are accurate.
You must also document that you meet the criteria for those categories.
Below are steps to the certification renewal process:
-
Review and update all the Profile Part 1 Sections – A through F and ensure the
information in each section is complete and accurate.
-
Ensure the information in the sections support the options selected to qualify
them for certification in the categories selected in Part 2.
-
Select new categories for certification in Profile Part 2.
-
Confirm Qualifications for each category selected. Ensure the appropriate
sections in Profile Part 1 are match the criteria selected to qualify you for
each category.
-
Select counties for servicing area (optional).
-
Sign the renewal agreement.
The technical service provider’s selected categories will be placed in a
renewal pending status. NRCS staff will verify the information within 60 days.
If a technical service provider selects multiple states for certification, then
the resident state Coordinator will notify his or her counterparts as
appropriate.
As the certifying official, the state conservationist can renew the
certification, hold for further review, or reject it. The state conservationist
will notify the technical service provider by letter with the final decision.
Technical service providers are encouraged to contact their state coordinators
for additional information regarding the renewal process and the status of
their applications.
|