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AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III

Agricultural Assessment Planner

Recruitment #25-000521-0001

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.   

​Th​e 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

ASTD16

LOCATION OF POSITION

3525 Conowingo Road, Ste. 500, Street, MD 21154

Main Purpose of Job

This is a regional position that provides support to soil conservation districts in the Central Maryland region by identifying potential resource concerns and resource improvement practices on agricultural properties. Farmer and landowner coordination from this position is necessary to verify if best management practices (BMP) are installed, properly functioning, and qualified to be credited as a Resource Improvement Best Management Practice (RI), as well as determining if all resource concerns are being addressed within an agricultural operation. This position also provides support to soil conservation districts in carrying out MDA programs including cover crop, manure transport, and various MDA initiatives. In addition, this position may provide support as directed by the Area Coordinator or the Program Manager by responding to public complaints regarding agricultural activities through the investigation and coordination of a rapid response team so that the nature of the complaint is confirmed and agricultural activities are conducted in a manner that protects soil and water resources.

POSITION DUTIES

Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • 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

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 email them to Courtney Blackistone (email below). 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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