AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III

15

27722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, Md 21801

This position assists the Watershed Implementation Program by inventorying and evaluating Best Management Practice implementation as a result of program participation. Provides technical assistance to both the Maryland Certainty and Ecosystem Markets Programs in evaluating agricultural operations for program eligibility and compliance. The position also performs quality assurance audits of conservation measures implemented and reporting through the Department's Conservation Tracker System as part of the Soil Conservation District Quality Assurance Review process.

Inventory and evaluate Best Management Practice implementation on cooperating operations enrolled in the program.

Assess agricultural operations for eligibility and compliance with the Maryland Certainty Program and Ecosystem Markets Program.

Perform Quality Assurance reviews on conservation measures implemented and reported through Conservation Tracker.

Maintains confidentiality of the information gathered regarding farmers and landowners contacted, as well as a high level of professionalism during contact and interaction with these individuals.

Education: Possession of 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. 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 may be substituted for the required education.

2. Possession of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field may be substituted for the required education and one year of the required experience.

3. Possession of an Associate’s 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 work may be substituted for the required education.

4. 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 may be substituted 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.   

Current Nutrient Management Certification

1. Employees in these classifications 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 these classifications may be required to become Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planners (USDA/NRCS-General Manual, Title 180, Part 409).

Please make sure that 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 will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred, however paper applications will be accepted from candidates who may not have internet access.  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.)  

If you are submitting additional information, such as 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).  Mailing Address: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD  21401.

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Hazel Day at 410-841-5840 or hazel.day@maryland.gov

 TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

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