Explanation. The NRCS Wellness Team, with the support and guidance from the Regional Conservationists, State Conservationists (STCs), and Area Directors, has developed a framework to help deliver this priority need to all employees. A key feature of the NRCS Wellness Program framework includes regional and deputy area wellness champions to support NRCS’ wellness goals within their designated areas. During phase one, and with an enthusiastic response to the call for wellness champions, the initial cohort was onboarded to help review and update the NRCS wellness policy to the extent possible within NRCS authority, and to develop a process for Growing Wellness activities and events.
The NRCS Wellness Team is now soliciting volunteers from all employees for the second cohort of wellness champions. Wellness champions serve as a collateral duty for a single term of up to two years and assist with promoting the various components of the NRCS Wellness Program. Wellness champions can expect to spend up to four to eight hours per pay period supporting NRCS’ wellness goals within their designated areas.
Major duties of the wellness champion include and are not limited to:
· Liaising between the National Wellness Team and State and division program points of contact
· Assisting respective areas with developing and maintaining wellness plans
· Ensuring respective areas are participating to the extent possible, and noting barriers or other issues related to participation and adoption
· Annually reviewing the NRCS wellness plan to ensure progress towards goals is captured.
Actions Requested:
If you would like to be part of the NRCS Wellness Program revitalization as a regional or division wellness champion, provide a brief statement of your wellness interest and any information you wish to share about your own wellness journey to your STC or Division Director by the internal deadline established by your STC or Division Director. The NRCS Wellness Champion Statement of Interest (Attachment A) may be used for this purpose.
STCs and Division Directors will establish an internal deadline for employees to submit their statement of interest with supervisor concurrence.
STCs and Division Directors will email their nominee(s) (up to two) to the NRCS wellness inbox at NRCSWellness@usda.gov by March 3, 2023. Use the subject: Cohort 2 Wellness Champions.
The NRCS Wellness Team will compile State and division selections for the Regional Conservationists’ and Deputy Chiefs’ review and final selection. Selections will be announced in March 2023 along with training and onboarding information.
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