AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III
Agricultural Assessment Planner
Recruitment #25-000521-0001
Department | MDA Resource Cnsrv - Resource Conservation Ops |
---|---|
Date Opened | 1/29/2025 11:55:00 AM |
Filing Deadline | 2/12/2025 11:59:00 PM |
Salary | $60,987.00 - $98,313.00/year |
Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
HR Analyst | Courtney Blackistone |
Work Location |
Harford
|
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.
The Office of Resource Conservation works with Maryland farmers to plan and implement conservation practices and programs that balance crop and livestock production with the need to protect natural resources. The Office provides a range of educational, financial, technical assistance, and regulatory programs to support Maryland agriculture and protect natural resources and water quality for future generations.
GRADE
LOCATION OF POSITION
Main Purpose of Job
POSITION DUTIES
- Identifies RI eligible practices and potential sites for establishing BMPs using geospatial data and field truthing by scheduling on-farm visits and interviews with farmers and landowners to assist Districts in meeting their Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) goals. Verifies if RIs have been inventoried in Conservation Tracker and if not, assists District staff using established procedures for each District to enter the data in Tracker, operator files and the shared drive as required by Program Planning and Evaluation (PPE). Keeps the Area Coordinator regularly informed and updated on activities and progress to identify, verify, and investigate RI eligible practices and resource concerns.
- Responds to agricultural complaints in the Central Maryland region as directed by the Area Coordinator or Program Manager by coordinating with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), local soil conservation districts, and/or complaints from the general public to resolve cases of water pollution caused by agriculture.
- Conducts outreach actions to educate farm operators and landowners about MDA and Soil Conservation District resource conservation initiatives and to raise awareness regarding the protection of soil and water resources. Outreach actions include but are not limited to attending agricultural field demonstrations, grower meetings, and other local, State, and federal agency meetings. Keeps the Area Coordinator regularly informed on outreach actions, emerging agricultural issues or concerns, and any feedback or inquiries received from stakeholders.
- Assists soil conservation districts in Central Maryland with performing activities associated with Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program (MACS) for the Cover Crop Program and Manure Transport Program including the completion of applications and verifying plantings.
- Maintains records and submit quarterly and annual reports regarding MACS cost share activities related to cover crop, manure transport and a monthly report of complaints received and investigated to resolve cases of water pollution caused by agriculture.
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
- NRCS Level III Planner Certification (or its equivalent based on current NRCS guidelines)
- Ability to analyze geographic data in using aerial imagery tools and programs such as ArcGIS
- MDA Nutrient Management Consultant Certification
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
SELECTION PROCESS
EXAMINATION PROCESS
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
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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. |