| NTSC FAQ # |
Keyword/
Topic |
Question and Answer |
| 1 |
Supervision |
Q: Who supervises the NTSCs? |
| A: The Deputy Chief for Science and Technology supervises
the Directors of the three NTSCs. |
| 2 |
Functions |
Q: Do all NTSCs have the same functions or will each have a
specific function? |
| A: All three NTSCs have the same core function – to provide
direct technical assistance to the States and the Pacific Basin and
Caribbean Areas; provide leadership for technology acquisition and
development; provide technology transfer and training; and develop and
maintain national technical standards, references, and related material. |
| 3 |
Technical
Specialists |
Q: How will the number of technical specialists be increased
(e.g., the increased grazing land specialists mentioned in the FAQ on 3/17)?
Will there be new hires or will staff be reduced in other specialty areas? |
| A: The technical specialist positions in the National
Technology Support Centers will be filled by a combination of current
employees and new hires. Vacant positions will be advertised and filled
through merit promotion procedures as funding is available. |
| 4 |
Technical
Specialty |
Q: What will be the topical specialties of the three special
technology development teams [now referred to as teams] at each of the
National Technology Support Centers? |
| A: Each National Technology Support Center will have three
(3) special technology development teams [now referred to as teams]. The
teams will lead the acquisition and/or development of new science and
technologies to address the following special emphasis areas: Air
Quality/Atmospheric Change, Animal Waste Utilization, Bioenergy, Grazing
Lands, Social Sciences, Soil Quality, Water Quality/Quantity, Wetlands, and
Wildlife. |
| 5 |
Grazing Lands |
Q: What will be the impact of the reorganization on National
Grazing Lands Initiative Coordinators? |
A: Through this reorganization, NRCS will provide an even
greater level of support to national grazing lands issues as well as other
technical issues. The National Technology Support Centers (NTSC) will be
staffed with experts in a variety of technical disciplines, such as:
agronomist; forester; rangeland management/pasture land specialist; soil
scientist; biologist; agricultural engineer; environmental engineer;
sociologist; economist; water management specialist; GIS specialist;
environmental compliance specialist; and plant materials specialist.
Vacancies will be filled according to priorities and funding. In addition,
each NTSC also has three special technology development teams that will lead
the acquisition and/or development of new science and technologies to
address special emphasis areas.
There are currently five regionally placed
National Grazing Lands Initiative (GLCI) Coordinators located across the
country. By comparison, the new organization will more than double the
number of grazing land specialists since it will employ five GLCI
coordinators, plus eight technical specialists focusing on grazing lands
issues.
This reorganization will not reduce State, area, and field office personnel
currently providing assistance to the National Grazing Lands Initiative.
By improving our operational, scientific and technological, and resource
assessment functions, we will strengthen our service to America’s farmers
and ranchers, helping them reach their conservation goals. |
| 6 |
Technical
Specialists |
Q: What kind of technical positions (i.e., civil engineers,
irrigation specialist, wetland specialist, agronomist) may go into these
technical centers? Follow up to that question: What would be the timeframe
for these positions to be filled? |
| A: The National Technology Support Centers (NTSCs) will be
staffed with experts in a variety of technical disciplines, such as:
agronomist; forester; rangeland management/pasture land specialist; soil
scientist; biologist; agricultural engineer; environmental engineer;
sociologist; economist; water management specialist; GIS specialist;
environmental compliance specialist; and plant materials specialist.
Vacancies will be filled according to priorities and funding. |
| 7 |
Locations |
Q: Has the decision been made on the location of the
Technology Centers? The locations will determine whether people leave or
stay with NRCS. |
| A: The final decision on the location of the Technology
Centers has not yet been made. The decision will be final when the
Department approves NRCS’ proposed reorganization plan. |
| 8 |
Administrative
Support |
Q: How does NRCS propose to administratively support the
three technology centers? Will this support be provided locally or from a
distance? |
| A: Administrative support (human resources, financial
management, contracting and information technology) for the new technology
centers will be provided by headquarters divisions (Human Resources
Management; Financial Management, Management Services, Information
Technology). Administrative personnel will not be located at any of the
three proposed National Technology Support Centers. |
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