Certified Conservation Planners

A certified conservation planner is a person who possesses the necessary skills, training, and experience to implement the NRCS nine-step planning process to meet client objectives in solving natural resource problems. The certified conservation planner has demonstrated skill in assisting clients to identify resource problems, to express the client's objectives, to propose feasible solutions to resource problems, and leads the client to choose and implement an effective alternative that treats resource concerns and meets client's objectives. All NRCS conservation planners will be certified.

The Conservation Operations Division has established minimum criteria to be met by NRCS employees to be a "certified conservation planner" State conservationists may establish additional certification levels and criteria as needed to cover degrees of scope and complexity in planning environments.

Minimum Criteria

• NRCS certified conservation planner candidates must complete all modules of the NRCS Conservation Planning Course or equivalent, before completing the field review (see item 4 below).

• Candidates must possess and demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Awareness of the National Conservation Program.
  • Skill in applying the NRCS Conservation Planning Process.
  • Ability to plan and implement conservation practices common to the geographic area.
  • Knowledge of NRCS Field Office Technical Guide standards and specifications for applicable conservation practices in the state and locality.
  • Skill in applying approved erosion prediction technology (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation and the Wind Erosion Equation).
  • Skill in using applicable site vulnerability assessment tools.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, tribal, and local laws and regulations.

• Candidates must meet any additional minimum qualifications and criteria for conservation planning assistance established by the state conservationist.

• Candidates must complete at least one field reviewed Resource Management System (RMS) plan for a conservation management unit (CMU).

Policy - GM 180, Part 409

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