NSCSS Benefits, Programs and Services

The Society supports the soil science profession from a private sector consulting perspective; however, you do not have to be in the private sector to be a voting member or to enjoy the benefits of membership. Encouraging consulting as a career choice is particularly important to our members. We raise money and this year allocated $2000 to scholarships. We are working with the Soil Science Society of America to award these funds so as to highlight private sector opportunities. We are particularly interested in supporting undergraduate soils curriculum.

Membership

Society officers and directors must consult to qualify for office, however, our soil science members do not have to be consultants to vote, and to receive the benefits of membership.

Public Directory

To support members in their efforts to maintain business visibility and provide accurate and accessible contact information, NSCSS maintains a publicly available contact database. The member can login to update their contact information and control the level of detail available.  A directory of private sector cooperators is posted  so that  NRCS State Soil scientists can communicate meeting announcements and training opportunities directly to our members relying on National Cooperative Soil Survey Standards. 

Business Announcements

Providing a timely venue for business announcements is a benefit of membership that we wish more members would avail themselves of.

Training Announcements

A stated goal of NSCSS is announcement of training opportunities and conferences.

Business Insurance

NSCSS has negotiated attractive rates for professional errors and omissions insurance.

Mentoring

Members start up, diversify, and expand their business activities with the support of their Society peers. Shared work examples are particularly valuable for pursuing new opportunities.

Scholarships

The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) Scholarship was established with the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) to encourage undergraduate students to major in soil science degree programs. The scholarship recruits top quality students into nationally recognized soil science programs to meet the expanding and diverse needs of this field. The NSCSS also encourages soil science degree graduates to pursue a career in the field of professional consulting soil science to meet the various public needs and practical applications of this science.

Internships

NSCSS keeps track of members involved with providing private sector soil science internships, and alert them when we receive inquires from student intern candidates.

Job Opportunities

We track and post private sector job opportunities that make specific mention of soil science qualifications. For a broader posting of soil science job opportunities, see soil-science.info/jobs.

Post your Resume

NSCSS asks employers and recruiters what we can do to help them connect with our job seeking members in the market for employment. They never fail to suggest the same thing: post resumes on our website. Members can use a resume posting service, such as Resume Bucket, or Resume Posse, and send us the link. We will post it. A solid choice for an online resume is LinkedIn, simply a great place for job seekers to tie into a growing network of professionals. Fill out your LinkedIn profile so the world can know your qualifications, career goals and experience. Post a brief profile in the Job Openings, Job Leads, and Job Connections! group.

Technical Communications from NCSS

Members who rely on National Cooperative Soil Survey standards are listed with their USDA-NRCS State Soil Scientist's as cooperating private sector soil scientists. Whenever a member joins or changes address, NSCSS contacts their State Soil Scientist to assure the flow of technical communications from NCSS. Adherence to National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) standards is a core value within NSCSS. Accordingly, our members see NCSS communications as particularly valuable. Our field descriptions of soil profiles, and our use of published soil survey interpretations on behalf of our clients, must adhere to technical standards established by NCSS. Membership in NSCSS supports our members continuing efforts to stay up-to-date with these standards. It also opens the door for them to become involved in revising those standards as the understanding of soil advances: NCSS is dynamic, and there is a place at the table for consulting soil scientists.

Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Guidelines

The Society was established, in part, to formulate and to uphold a code of ethics for the profession. Our Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Guidelines for Consulting Soil Scientists is the established basis for fulfilling that purpose.

Professional Registration

SSSA's CPSS/SC program provides core proficiency certification, and NSCSS fully supports and encourages SSSA certification among our members. Our Professional Registration (RPSS) program builds on that core and addresses the gnarly aspects of professionalism that are particular challenges in soil science consulting. Knowing what is legal, what isn't, and what you can get sued for is part of that. But beyond the obvious litigation risks, there are professional conduct issues to prepare for. These often involve the tension between an expectation of advocacy from our client pool and the professional requirement to be scientifically objective. Structuring our contracts and communications to properly protect our clients' interests, yet preventing unreasonable expectations, all while avoiding conflicts of interests, is a skill set we require of our NSCSS registered professional soil scientists.

Support for Soil Science Licensing

In 2008 we responded to threats to existing state soil science licensing programs in Florida and Virginia. These threats developed without our being aware of them until it was too late for us to be effective. Our limited success in these efforts, which occurred despite a strong NSCSS member base in the southeastern region, strengthened our resolve. In 2009 NSCSS provided cost share support for state licensing efforts in Washington and South Carolina. The Board has resolved to limit that support to matching donations made by individual NSCSS members, a feature which assures that the effort is judged worthy of support by our members. As revised on November 23, 2009, the 2009 budget includes $2500 to support state licensing, consistent with previous precedent set by Board:

• Match donations of NSCSS membership in support of state licensing efforts
• Limit of $1500 per state per year.
• State association must submit supporting documentation.

A tally of check numbers, dates, payee/payer and assurance that the funds were committed only to professional licensing and registratrion efforts: these are the elements of a successful request.

Representation

We are joining our voices to be heard, particularly in the areas we have chosen to exercise national leadership in (see pages tagged leadership)

• Promoting soil science technology (see soil science) and professional registry (see RPSS)
• Supporting initiation and improvement of state registration programs. (see licensing)
• Support and enforcement of a code of professional and ethical conduct. (see ethics)
• Elimination of unfair competition from taxpayer-supported entities.
• Assist in national level policy formation.

Consistent with this effort, NSCSS leaders are working with SSSA to establish Soil Science accreditation as a means of assuring college curriculum requirements consistent with private sector demands for soil science.