Job Approval Authority What Why When How What

Job Approval Authority What, Why, When, How, What Can I do? Dave Beyman, P. E. State Conservation Engineer State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

What is Job Approval Authority? State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

What is Job Approval Authority? “…Engineering job approval authority is the quality assurance process that ensures adequate consideration by competent NRCS employees in the planning, design, and installation of conservation engineering practices…” “…Engineering job approval authority additionally serves to maintain the credibility and trust of NRCS engineering with State engineering boards of licensure and with the public…” NEM 501. 0, C. State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

Why does NRCS have Job Approval Authority? State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

Why does NRCS have Job Approval Authority? “…Engineering practices have the potential, upon failure, to affect public health and safety and cause loss of life and significant property damage…” “…the practice of engineering is regulated by State law governing professional engineering, requiring professional registration…” NEM 501. 0, A. State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

When does Job Approval Authority Apply? State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

When does Job Approval Authority Apply? “…All conservation engineering practice planning, design and certification must be approved by a qualified person who has appropriate engineering job approval authority…” “…Engineering work must meet applicable requirement of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes…” NEM 501. 0, D. & 501. 3, A. State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

How does one earn Job Approval Authority? State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

How does one earn Job Approval Authority? “…Each NRCS employee providing engineering technical assistance must be assigned an appropriate engineering job approval authority based upon training, experience, and demonstrated competence…” NEM 501. 1, A. State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

What can someone do without Job Approval Authority? What can’t someone do without Job Approval Authority? State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

What can someone do without Job Approval Authority? Plan, Design and Inspect Engineering Practices What can’t someone do without Job Approval Authority? Approve Plans, Designs and Implementation of Engineering Practices State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

Classification of Engineering Practices? Example Conservation Practice 642 – Water Well Engineering or Ecological Science Practice? Controlling Factor Units Depth (Livestock) feet State Technical Committee I 300 Job Class II IV V 600 800 1, 000 1, 200 Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013

JAA and Ecological Practices • Some common ecological practices include: – 314 Brush Management – 327 Conservation Cover – 328 Conservation Crop Rotation – 340 Cover Crop – 342 Critical Area Planting – 595 Integrated Pest Management – 346 Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till – 528 Prescribed Grazing

JAA and Ecological Practices • Current system based on knowledge, skill and abilities – Job Class 1: Awareness of Practice Standard – Class 2: Basic training on how to plan practice – Class 3: Perform all facets of practice, but requires class 4 oversight and approval – Class 4: Can apply independently and approve practice certification – Class 5: Proficient, can train others and assign JAA to others

Why have JAA for Ecological Practices? • Protects landowner interests • Ensures prudent use of taxpayers funds

Future of JAA for Ecological Practices • NHQ may be releasing policy to that requires specific format for Ecological Practice JAA • May result in Job Class structure with controlling factors similar to engineering JAA.

Questions? State Technical Committee Wednesday, October 30 th, 2013