State of Maryland

A Supervisor of Pesticide Applicator's Law is specialized work at the administrative and supervisory level of responsibility.  The employee in this classification is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the administrative, regulatory and educational activities of a Statewide program pertaining to the application, sale and use of pesticides.  The employee in this classification is required to provide technical guidance and supervision, and at times may actively participate in performing activities such as the licensing and training of certified applicators, the inspection and/or investigation of diverse pesticide operations and the administration and preparation of examinations to persons applying for certification as a pesticide applicator.  The employee in this classification has Statewide responsibility for the administration and implementation of the Pesticide Applicator’s Law.  The employee in this classification, as the Maryland Department of Agriculture's expert on all matters relating to pesticide use and application, has frequent contacts with members of private industry, farmers, and educators and confers with these individuals in the preparation of educational material on pesticide use, the establishment of pesticide application standards, the testing of pesticides, and the enforcement of laws and regulations.  The employee in this classification has supervisory responsibility for a small administrative and technical staff.

The employee in this classification receives administrative direction of the Chief, Pest Management and confers with the Chief on matters of policy and program objectives.  Work effectiveness is determined through conferences and evaluation of program results.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Provides technical guidance and administrative direction to subordinates in the Pesticides Program;

Develops standards for certifying commercial and private pesticide applicators throughout the State and implements certification program;

Works with specialists in the University of Maryland and other agencies in developing training programs for certified applicators;

Reviews pesticide use in the State and recommends changes when indicated;

Investigates pesticide accidents, reports findings and recommends corrective action and penalties when appropriate;

Prepares and supervises others who are preparing pesticide training material and examinations for the certification of pesticide applicators;

Supervises the administration of examinations throughout the State;

Coordinates pesticide activities of the Department of Agriculture with other State and federal agencies;

Maintains a current file of pesticide information including federal pesticide registration;

Assists research personnel in planning and initiating experiments to determine efficacy and safety of pesticides;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge, at the expert level of proficiency, of economic pest control (structural and agricultural) techniques and practices;

Knowledge of the characteristics, uses and application of pesticides;

Knowledge of the principles of economic entomology, agronomy, horticulture;

Knowledge of federal pesticide registration and labeling procedures (this information can be obtained from the Maryland Department of Agriculture;

Knowledge of the Pesticide Applicator’s Law and regulations to include Agriculture Article, Title 5, Subtitle 2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (copies are available at the Maryland Department of Agriculture);

Ability to administer and supervise the technical and administrative phases of pesticide programs;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department officials, community officials, fellow employees and private citizens;

Ability to make accurate determinations based on analysis and inspection of technical procedures and practices in relation to given standards;

Ability to supervise the work of others;

Ability to evaluate the public’s needs in the field of pesticides and to plan programs to meet these needs;

Ability to prepare and administer examinations;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Agronomy, Botany, Entomology, Horticulture or Plant Pathology.

Experience: Six years of full-time successful, progressively responsible experience in the sciences mentioned above, two years must have been involved with pesticides preferably in the areas of law enforcement, research, sales, state pesticide coordination or pest management.

Note: Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in the sciences listed above for one year of the required general experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.