Careers with NRCS

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has many professions to carry out its business. A few of these careers are in human resources, budget, procurement, and clerical assistance. The majority, however, are specialty or technical professions such as:

• Soil Conservation Technician - Helps the soil conservationist in planning and applying terraces, waterways, windbreaks, and other conservation practices.
• Engineering Technician - Assists professional engineers in surveying construction sites, working with contractors, inspecting construction in progress and similar duties.
• Soil Conservationist - Provides technical advice on installing conservation practices such as terraces, dams and planting of grass, trees or wildlife cover. Provides advice to landowners and government agencies in the development of the natural resources.
• Civil or Ag Engineer - Assists in engineering design of dams, road structure and terrace systems. Makes on-site inspections, computes quantity and cost of materials, and gathers basic planning data for these structures.
• Soil Scientist - Makes sample drillings in the field to identify and classify soils, gathers information for soil surveys such as land use and crop data, and is generally responsible for soil surveys.
• Rangeland Management Specialist - Helps ranchers develop good grazing systems by developing a conservation plan, gives advice on the best grasses to grow and ways to improve and protect rangeland.
• Some other career positions within NRCS are biologist, foresters, and economists.

Also visit Careers on the national NRCS Web site for more information on job opportunities with NRCS.

For more information about job opportunities in Montana, contact the Human Resources Section, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Building Room 443, 10 East Babcock Street, Bozeman, MT 59715, or call 406-587-6937; e-mail: Sharon Huber.

How to Apply

Connect to the USA JOBS Web site. This site will help you to find and apply for jobs with NRCS and throughout the federal Government.

Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates

The Federal Government offers three programs, collectively the Pathways Programs, that are streamlined developmental programs tailored to promote employment opportunities for students and recent graduates in the Federal workforce.

• Internship Program for current students
• Recent Graduates Program for people who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs (2 years from the date the graduate completed an academic course of study)
• Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program for people who obtained an advanced degree (e.g., graduate or professional degree) within the preceding two years

For more information about these programs and other opportunities for students, visit the NRCS Student Information page on the national NRCS Web site.

Montana: A Great Place to Learn

Watch the video about student interns in Montana. "Montana: A Great Place to Learn" looks at the NRCS student internship program from the perspective of students working in Montana.

Student internship positions are available in the following specialties:

• Soil Conservationist - Provides technical advice on installing conservation practices such as terraces, dams and planting of grass, trees or wildlife cover. Provides advice to landowners and government agencies in the development of their natural resources.
• Civil or Ag Engineer - Assists in engineering design of dams, road structure and terrace systems. Makes on-site inspections, computes quantity and most of materials, and gathers basic planning data for these structures.
• Soil Scientist - Makes sample drillings in the field to identify and classify soils, gathers information for soil surveys such as land use and crop data, and is generally responsible for soil surveys.
• Rangeland Management Specialist - Helps ranchers develop good grazing systems by developing a conservation plan, gives advice on the best grasses to grow and ways to improve and protect rangeland.

For more information about student internship opportunities in Montana, contact the Human Resources Section, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Building Room 443, 10 East Babcock Street, Bozeman, MT 59715, or call 406-587-6937; e-mail: Sharon Huber.

Last Modified: 12/12/2012