NRCS Recruitment Success at the 2008 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Annual Conference

The NRCS AISES recruiting cadre recently participated at the 30th annual AISES National Conference in Anaheim, California, where NRCS State Conservationist Ed Burton received the NRCS AISES Sponsorship Award (given to the State conservationist of the hosting State) at the Gemstone reception, participated in the NRCS Concurrent session, and attended the Honor Banquet.  Utah NRCS State Hydraulic Engineer Nathaniel Todea was honored during the Honors Banquet and presented the AISES Professional of the Year Award as Most Promising Engineer.

The NRCS AISES recruiting cadre members distributed NRCS career brochures, employment, Student Temporary Experience Positions (STEP) and Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) opportunity materials to over 500 college students and approximately 70 high school students.  More than 50 students attended the NRCS concurrent session, Helping the People Help the Land; A Universe of Opportunities where the cadre recruited for every NRCS State that submitted a job vacancy through the Career Intern Program (CIP), STEP, or SCEP opportunity in their State.

More than 180 student contacts were made via sign-in, resumes, and interviews -- the collected resumes and interview sheets will be distributed to State Conservationists, American Indian/Alaska Native special emphasis program managers ( SEPM's), and State Human Resources offices.  Over 33 high quality candidates are being considered for employment for SCEP positions with NRCS.

All total, over 560 college students, 169 high school students, 518 professionals, and 411 exhibitors attended this highly successful NRCS recruiting event.  It could never have taken place however, without the support of State conservationists who provided financial support for the NRCS Lapis sponsorship and covered travel expenses for the AISES cadre members.
Your contact is Dr. Carol Vallee Crouch at 405-527-3160, ext. 3.

NRCS AISES cadre members

Ed Burton, California NRCS State Conservationist Noller Herbert, NRCS National Conservation Engineer Dr. Carol Vallee Crouch, NRCS National SEPM, AI/AN and Oklahoma NRCS district conservationist David Elliott, Alabama NRCS Tribal liaison Leonard Notah, New Mexico NRCS district conservationist Nathaniel Todea, Utah NRCS State Hydraulic Engineer Tricia A. Mootz, Iowa NRCS human resources specialist

Rose Webb, Arkansas NRCS human resources specialist Blythe Koyiyumptewa, Arizona NRCS engineer Leota Burnett, Oklahoma NRCS soil conservation technician Tanya Robles, California NRCS human resources specialist Reina Rogers, California NRCS Tribal liaison Tanya Riehl, North Dakota NRCS public affairs specialist Felix Nez, Arizona NRCS district conservationist Crystal Leonetti, Alaska NRCS Tribal liaison