Purpose. To announce required updates to the ESJAA database.
Expiration Date. September 30, 2022
Background. Periodic updates are required in State copies of the nationally developed ESJAA database as NRCS conservation practice standards (CPS) are revised and when further improvements in the controlling factors, units, job classes, and corresponding knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) have been identified.
Explanation. National discipline leaders and national technology support centers (NTSCs) have made changes to national ESJAA classes, controlling factors, and KSAs for the following CPS:
Prescribed Burning (Code 338): Establishment of a new controlling factor and classes. At the State's discretion, complexity ratings may be established and used as controlling factors, where appropriate, in lieu of or in addition to acres, slope, and fuels. If used, States must define Low, Medium, and High complexity. The KSA ID 14 and 15 controlling factors were changed to “Recommending the Practice” and “Planning / Applying Prescribed Fire”, respectively. The KSA content for ID 15 was also updated.
Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation (Code 380): Revised controlling factors to separate establishment and renovation. The CPS name was changed from "Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment" to "Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation", this change was effective July 28, 2021.
Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420): Controlling factor change to better reflect establishment of vegetation rather than management.
Additional updates require changes to State databases for the following CPS:
Silvopasture (Code 381) name changed from “Silvopasture Establishment” to “Silvopasture”, this change was effective May 19, 2016.
Pasture and Hay Planting (Code 512) name changed from "Forage and Biomass Planting" to "Pasture and Hay Planting", this change was effective September 30, 2020.
Livestock Shelter Structure (Code 576) was removed from the ESJAA national database, the lead discipline has been changed to Conservation Engineering Division – Agricultural Engineer, this change was effective August 19, 2020.
Pest Management Conservation System (Code 595) name changed from “Integrated Pest Management” to “Pest Management Conservation System”, this change was effective May 9, 2019.
Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities (Code 643) name changed from "Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats" to "Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities", this change was effective March 30, 2017.
Windbreak/Shelterbreak Renovation (Code 650) was removed from the ESJAA national database as it is no longer an active practice effective July 28, 2021.
States and areas must make the applicable changes to their ESJAA skills matrix and KSAs as outlined in the attached file, “ESJAA Database Updates – May 2022”. Information to support State incorporation of the changes into local copies of the database template is available at the Ecological Sciences Job Approval Authority SharePoint Site:
Contact. Any questions related to documenting the State controlling factors in the State’s ESJAA database should be directed to the national technology specialist at the State’s servicing NTSC: Rafael Vega (East), Preston Irwin (Central), and Loren Unruh (West).
/s/
NOLLER HERBERT
Deputy Chief for Science and Technology