Legal Specialist

About NEW Solutions

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS)

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). These are experienced professionals who provide technical and professional assistance to the Department of Agriculture for the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program.

Benefits:

Paid Health Insurance Premium for positions budgeted at 60+ hours per pay period, Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid Federal Holidays, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available for positions budgeted at 35+ hours per pay period.

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an "at-will" relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

NOTE: An "ACES Enrollee" is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An "ACES Enrollee" is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS and administered by NEW Solutions. This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States

Qualifications:

Minimum of 20 year(s) of experience in Knowledge of Appeals and Equitable Relief, Farm Bill Programs and Agriculture, Natural Resources, Agronomy, or related field of study. OR BA/BS Degree in Agronomy, Biology, Environment and Natural Resources and Forestry.

• Valid State Driver's license.
• Experience providing specialized advice and counsel to professional and administrative personnel concerning all phases of the appeal, mediation, and equitable relief processes including the applicability to specific disputes, case preparation, appeal processes, and strategies.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel
• PowerPoint
• NRCS Software (if applicable): MS Teams and Zoon
• Other Software (if applicable): Protracts, Conservation Desktop

Duties:

• Serves as the primary point of contact in the state for programmatic appeals dealing with conservation programs and conservation compliance provisions of the 1985 National Food Security Act.
• Reviews adverse decisions made by Agency personnel to ensure all applicable procedures were followed by Agency officials and decisions were made according to statutory and regulatory provisions.
• Serves as Agency Representative at National Appeals Division (NAD) hearings, prepares administrative records for hearings, and prepares documents and program analysis to support Agency position.
• Resolves conflicts related to program policy, administrative procedures, and statutory or regulatory requirements.
• Serves as key advisor on National Appeals Division (NAD) appeals with extensive knowledge of:
• 7 CFR Part 614, NRCS Appeal Procedures,
• 77 FR 34186 and
• 7 CFR Part 635 Equitable Relief from Ineligibility and
• Expertise or in-depth knowledge of NRCS conservation program manuals and policies.
• Draft and review questions and responses for witness testimony related to appeals cases. 5%
• Represent the Agencies at National Appeals Division (NAD) hearings in front of a NAD Administrative Judge. 10%
• Develop and review adverse decision letters to determine that NRCS is citing the correct statutes and policies 10%
• Provides support for the development of the agency record for National Appeals Division (NAD) cases. 10%
• Keeps abreast of current NAD decisions and any applicable Statutes and Regulations. 10%
• Helps review and support the development of Communications, Decision Memos, Post Hearing Communications, and other support related to Program Appeals and related to Agency Adverse Decisions and Food Security Act. 20%
• Provides expertise and support on all Equitable Relief, Program Appeals, and National Appeal Division Cases. 35%

Other:

• Annual information system security, anti-harassment, and civil rights training.
• Travel Requirements: Occasionally to satisfy the duties of the position and for training support and NAD appeal research. Valid state driver's license required.
• Health and Safety Considerations: Work is usually performed in both an office and field setting with exposure to moderate discomforts encountered on field trips and field days such as extremes of heat or cold, wet conditions, or other weather-related hazards. Enrollee should prepare/dress accordingly. May work in resolving conflict related to program policy, administrative procedures, and statutory or regulatory requirement.
• Remote work arrangements are available for this position.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.