
Charges, activities, and contact information for the Leadership Development and Recruitment Focus Team.
Sign up for email updates on Soils Recruitment

Overview
The team will engage with the Division and Agency on two established fronts: Leadership Development and Recruitment. The Leadership Development sub-team will work as a companion to the current NRCS leadership development framework. This sub-team will develop strategies, guidelines, and a culture of leadership from the time employees are recruited until the end of their service with the Soil and Plant Science Division. The Recruitment sub-team will work with the FPAC Human Resources and Civil Rights/Equal Employment Opportunities Divisions to develop strategies, guidelines, and a recruitment plan geared toward the Division’s vision, hiring, and succession plan.
Toolbox
Charges
- Identify needs and gaps
- Provide framework for ongoing review of leadership
- Identify training course both internal and external to encourage and enhance leadership development
- Identify recruitment needs and venues
- Coordinate recruitment
Links
Technical Series
- Soil Scientist Qualifications (GS-470)
- Ecology Qualifications (GS-408)
- Rangeland Management Qualifications (GS-454)
- Forestry Qualifications (GS-460)
- Geographers Qualifications (GS-150)
- Recruitment and Hiring tracking tool (coming soon)
- Leadership and Opportunity tracking tool (coming soon)
Projects
- Get self-paced leadership curriculum and booklist set up in “Curriculum” feature in Ag Learn
- Re-evaluate Special Emphasis Programs under FPAC Business Center
- Performance Plan requirements for mentoring, leadership development, and culture change
- Pursue update of qualifications for the 470 series to include more ecological and GIS coursework
- Synchronize intern announcements with projects and university recruitment cycles
Accomplishments
Leadership Development
- Mentoring structure setup
- Leadership and opportunity tracking tool
- Developed YouTube playlist on leadership evaluation
- Established SharePoint directory (internal use only) for those interested in leadership philosophies
- Developed recommendations for Soil and Plant Science Division leadership
- Worked with contractor Grant Thornton and FPAC Business Center on Science and Technical Leadership Focus Group
- Self-paced leadership curriculum and book list established
- Established mentoring portal for the Division
Recruitment
- Initiated two agreements for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology development and transfer with two 1890 institutions (Alcorn State and FAMU)
- Provided grant for two 1890 institutions to field soil judging teams. Four 1890s institutions competed for the first time ever (Central State University, Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University, Brooklyn College)
- Recruitment and hiring tracking tool
- Developed recommendations for Soil and Plant Science Division leadership for recruitment
- Developed NRCS SharePoint database (internal use only) for cooperators
- Coordinated job announcements with Communications and Outreach Focus Team on govDelivery