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AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III

Agricultural Assessment Planner - Eastern Shore

Recruitment #23-000521-0003

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Introduction

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health , consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow.

GRADE

ASTD16

LOCATION OF POSITION

2772 Nanticoke Road Salisbury MD 21801 Unit #2

(Occasional travel to the Annapolis MDA Headquarters may also be required.)

Main Purpose of Job

The work of this position involves soil and water conservation planning and coordination that, focuses on animal feeding operations (AFO). It involves a working knowledge of soil and water conservation principles, animal production, practices and methods related to the planning and installation of soil and water conservation projects and systems, to assure management and compliance with the regulatory AFO process. The work is done in conjunction with the agricultural land owner and/or operator. This position provides coverage to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the preparation and implementation of regulatory documentation and plans, including Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs) for compliance with the Maryland General Permit for Animal Feeding Operations. This position coordinates with regional SCD's, UMD-Ext consultants and private consultants to maintain status databases on AFO construction and permit compliance. This position also coordinates with MDE permit writers and compliance specialists to assist in mitigating and streamlining AFO issues. This position coordinates with industry, conservation partners, animal health and cooperators to plan and educate for pending crisis situations. This position develops and manages regional AFO workload which includes the education, training, reviewing and approving of AFO plans prepared by NRCS, Level 1 certified planners.

POSITION DUTIES

Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • Inventory and evaluation for cooperators/landowners, practices to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and reduce the potential for discharge, by performing on site evaluations, gathering field information and resource data to identify needs and resource priorities. 
  • Develops new or revises various types of existing conservation plans, including comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs), for the cooperator that meets their farming operation needs and priorities and protects or improves the resources on the farm.
  • Manages, prepares and/or delivers plans that are consistent with the priorities of the local soil conservation districts, MDA and its partners, and documents progress using established progress reporting and tracking systems. 
  • Provides community education and outreach to existing and prospective AFO cooperators. 
  • Trains and coordinates the work of existing planners within the local SCD office on the preparation of various types of conservation plans, including comprehensive nutrient management plans, required for compliance with the State of Maryland General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field.  

Experience: Two years of experience in planning, engineering or program administration work related to soil conservation or water quality.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, including 3 credit hours in soils, and one year of experience in soil and water conservation work for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field for the required education and one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field, and one year of experience in soil and water conservation for the required education.

4. Candidates may substitute graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and two additional years of experience in soil and water conservation for the required education.

5.  Candidates may substitute planning, engineering or program administration experience in a soil conservation, water quality protection or related agricultural or natural resource program on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

6. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in natural resources management and biological science classification or natural resources management and biological science specialty codes in the soil conservation field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.    

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • GIS/AutoCAD experience
  • District Soil Conservation experience
  • Working Knowledge & Experience in the poultry industry

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in certain positions in this classification may be required to become Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planners (USDA/NRCS-General Manual, Title 180, Part 409).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This position will require exposure to adverse weather, unpleasant agricultural and barnyard conditions, sound and odor, animal mortality, animal manure and food processing by-products. Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions which may result in injury. This position requires farm visits and potential contact with dust, waste products and potentially animal mortality. The use of protective clothing such as coveralls, boots and gloves may be required for the protection of the worker and/or to prevent the spread of pathogens. Work also often involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc. Examples include but are not limited to lifting of equipment, display boards, manuals, etc. Site investigations may require traversing steep or uneven terrain. 

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you detail all experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Maryland Department of Agriculture  Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway,  Annapolis, MD  21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application. If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application. If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831). All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.) 

If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division 

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Courtney Blackistone at courtney.blackistone1@maryland.gov. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay 

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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