POCONO NORTHEAST RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (POCONO NORTHEAST RC&D)
PROGRAM ASSISTANT, Mill Hall PA
For US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
 
Description of work:  Pocono Northeast RC&D, a regional non-profit organization, seeks to hire a qualified candidate to fill a Program Assistant position.  The Program Assistant interacts with the NRCS staff and the public to carry out job assignments.  
 
This Program Assistant position will be headquartered in the USDA Service Center in Mill Hall, PA.  The position will be under the direct day-to-day supervision of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Supervisory District Conservationist at that location.  Workload and duties involve providing administrative and technical assistance to landowners, partners, and NRCS staff in Centre, Clinton, and Lycoming Counties.
 
Program Assistant Major Duties:

• Assist the NRCS field office staff with administering USDA programs.
• Serve as a point of contact at the NRCS Office for existing customers and those interested in learning more about USDA programs.
• Contact applicants and/or NRCS staff members as needed to complete necessary forms for program

participation.

• Create and maintain file records of transactions or contracts needed to document USDA assistance.
• Provide administrative assistance & support as required by NRCS staff.
• Manage requests and tracking database related to Farm Bill Compliance of Highly Erodible Lands and Wetland Compliance.
• Provide activity summary progress reports bi-weekly, as directed.
• Complete other duties as assigned.
• This is mainly an office administrative position with little to no field time.

 
Duty Location:
USDA-NRCS Office, 216 Spring Run Road, Mill Hall, PA 17751
 
Work Schedule:  32 hours per week.  Time in any given work week may be divided between the Centre/Clinton and Lycoming County Field Offices based on workload and at the discretion of the Supervisor.  The position is funded by an agreement between Pocono Northeast RC&D Council and USDA-NRCS.  This is a grant funded position. Future funding is expected.
 
Requirements:  Successful completion of background investigation and a valid driver’s license will be required. Applicant will need reliable transportation to work in Centre, Clinton and Lycoming Counties.  Applicant is expected to independently drive to trainings or other job-related activities throughout the assigned counties.  Possibly, but infrequently, overnight travel to other locations may be necessary for the employee to receive training or to carry out business for the organization.  Travel expenses will be covered by Pocono Northeast RC&D Council, as appropriate.  Documentation of Covid-19 vaccination is also required.   
 
Knowledge and Skills Required:  

• Minimum Education Requirement: High School Graduation or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and USDA clientele, including farmers and rural landowners
• Strong computer skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is essential.  Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a plus.
• Ability to use all modern office equipment including printing, scanning, emailing, and document conversion.
• The candidate should be highly organized and able to work in a team setting within a small office environment.  
• The ability to walk and work in outdoor environments, including uneven ground or inclement weather; may occasionally be required.

 
Wage and Benefits:
The position is funded on an annual basis at 32 hours per week with a starting wage rate of $16.00 per hour.  Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered.
 
To apply:  Interested candidates may apply through indeed.com and may also apply online here (pnercd.org) no later than December 6, 2021 to be considered for the position. A verbal interview will also be required to make the final selection from a short list of the best qualified candidates upon review of all the applications received.
 
 
 
Pocono Northeast RC&D, Dalton, PA 18414 -- (570) 234-3577 gkauf3.pnercd@gmail.com
 
POCONO NORTHEAST RC&D IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.