Nutrient Management Specialist I

Introduction

The Maryland Department ofAgriculture is a department under Marylands Executive Branch. Formed in1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for theState of Maryland the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body foranimal health consumer services to includemarketing and lab services plant and pest management and resourceconservation. As the number one industry in Maryland the diversity ofagriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.

The Nutrient Management Program protects waterquality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by ensuring that farmers andurban land managers apply fertilizers animal manure and other nutrient sourcesin an effective and environmentally sound manner. Maryland law requires all farmers grossing$2500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8000 pounds or more of liveanimal weight to follow nutrient management plans when fertilizing crops andmanaging animal manure. Nutrient management plansspecify how muchfertilizer manure or other nutrient sources may be safely applied to crops toachieve yields and prevent excess nutrients from impacting waterways.

COME JOIN THE NutrientManagement Team !

GRADE

GRADE15 Thisposition offers a salary range of $63154.00-$99603.00 Yearly /annually based onqualifications agency authority agency budget pay equity and hiring salaryguidelines.

LOCATION OF POSITION

92 Thomas Johnson Drive Suite 110 Frederick MD 21702

(Assigned Statewide and in AlleganyGarrett and Washington counties)

Main Purpose of Job

Thisposition provides technical and administrative support to the nutrientmanagement program Statewide and in Allegany Garrett and Washingtoncounties . The main function ofthis position is to review nutrient management plans written by certifiedconsultants and the implementation of nutrient management plans by farmers tohelp ensure their compliance with the regulatory requirements regarding properutilization and application of nutrients and protection of Marylandsagricultural and natural resources and the environment.

POSITION DUTIES

Reviews applications and evaluatescertified nutrient management plans written by certified nutrient managementconsultants/farmers. Conducts planimplementation visits for farmers and reviews annual implementation reportsensuring their compliance with state regulatory requirements using theDepartments Guidelines and Procedures.

Provides technical assistance andissues appropriate follow-up and enforcement actions for non-compliantlicenses consultants nutrient applicators and farmers. Addresses complaints using the DepartmentsGuidelines and Regulations for Nutrient Management Implementation.

Maintains records of inspections ofnutrient management plans written by certified consultants/farmers and planimplementation by farmers for evaluation regulatory requirements andreporting by using hard copies and the programs database system. Prepares reports on inspection activities forprograms evaluation and compliance with the Departments objectives usingprograms reporting format.

Otherrelated Nutrient Management Program duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university which includes atleast 24 credit hours in agronomy soil science crops horticultureenvironmental science or a related discipline.

Experience: One year of experience in agronomy soil fertility nutrient managementplanning or other related farming experience.

Notes:

1. Four years of experience inagronomy soil fertility nutrient management planning or other relatedfarming experience may be substituted for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute thepossession of an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college oruniversity which includes at least 12 credit hours in agronomy soil sciencecrops horticulture environmental science or a related discipline and threeyears of experience in agronomy soil fertility nutrient management planningor other related farming experience may be substituted for the requiredexperience and education.

3. Candidates may substitute thepossession of a Masters degree in agronomy soil science crops horticultureenvironmental science or a related discipline from an accredited college oruniversity for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute thepossession of a current nutrient management certification for two years of therequired experience.

5. Candidates may substitute U.S. ArmedForces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in plantpathology classifications or plant pathology specialty codes in the field ofwork on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess anyof the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specificinformation on your application regarding your qualifications.

CurrentNutrient Management Consultant Certification

Atleast 12 credit hours in agronomy soil science crops or horticulture

One (1) or more years ofexperience in agricultural production and/or turfgrass management

LICENSES REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classificationmay be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employeesassigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operatorslicense valid in the State of Maryland.

Employees in this classificationmust obtain a Nutrient Management Certificate from the MarylandDepartment of Agriculture no later than one (1) year from the date ofappointment and must maintain the certification.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicantswho meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in furtherevaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on youreducation training and experience as they relate to the requirements of it is essential that you provide complete andaccurate information on your candidates willbe ranked as Best Qualified Better Qualified or Qualified and placed ontheeligible (employment) list for at least one certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similarpositions in this or other State agencies.

Pleasereport on all related education experience dates and hours indicate your college degree transcript and major on yourapplication if applicable.

Foreducation obtained outside of the U.S. you will be required to provide proofof the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credentialevaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the UnitedStates please submit a detailed course-by-course evaluation report from oneof the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at Any job offer will be contingent on thecandidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreigncredential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may berequested prior to interview).

Completeapplications must be submitted by the closing submittedafter this date will not be added. Incorrect application forms will notbe will not be accepted in lieu of a completedapplication.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment mayconsist of a rating of your education training and experience related to therequirements of the is important that you provide completeand accurate information on your report on all experienceand education that is related to this position.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

G

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY you are unable to apply online you may mail a paper applicationto:Maryland Department of Agriculture Human Resource Office - Room 30450 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis MD 21401. All paper applicationsmust be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date no exceptions.(Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completingthe online or paper application.

It is important that all experiences be fully documented. Failureto ANSWER ALL SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND ACCURATELY may cause thecandidate to be rejected.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY.

The application is partof the examination process. Your answers will determineyour eligibilityto participate in the next phase of the selection process.

Clearly describe yourqualifications in detail. Credit cannot be given for education trainingexperience knowledge skills and abilities that you fail to indicate.

Do not leave any answerspaces blank; if a question does not apply write N/A.

Although you may attach aresume to further describe your qualification it does not substitute forcompleting the application form. An incomplete application form may result indisqualification. Do NOT write see resume in your work history orresponses to supplemental questions.

Failure to comply withthese instructions may result in disqualification.

Read the Job Announcementcarefully for specific filing instructions supplemental questions and finalfiling dates.

If you are submitting additional information such as diplomas ortranscripts the preferred method is to upload them online with yourapplication. If you are unable to upload you may mail hand-deliver orfax (HR Fax # ).

For questions concerning this recruitment please contact: StaceySummers TTY Users:call via Maryland Relay.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed torecruiting retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of theStates diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates areencouraged to thank our Veterans for their service to ourcountry.

Required Experience:

IC