NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST I

Introduction

\r\n\r\nThe Maryland Department of\r\nAgriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.� Formed in\r\n1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the\r\nState of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for\r\nanimal health, consumer services to include\r\nmarketing and lab services,�plant and pest management and resource\r\nconservation.� As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of\r\nagriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.\r\nThe Nutrient Management Program protects water\r\nquality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by ensuring that farmers and\r\nurban land managers apply fertilizers, animal manure and other nutrient sources\r\nin an effective and environmentally sound manner.​ Maryland law requires all farmers grossing\r\n$2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live\r\nanimal weight to follow nutrient management plans when fertilizing crops and\r\nmanaging animal manure. Nutrient management plans�specify how much\r\nfertilizer, manure or other nutrient sources may be safely applied to crops to\r\nachieve yields and prevent excess nutrients from impacting waterways.\r\n�COME JOIN THE Nutrient\r\nManagement Team​!\r\n​Nutrient Management\r\nProgram\r\n\r\n

GRADE

GRADE\r\n15 – This\r\nposition offers a salary range of $63,154.00-$99,603.00 Yearly/annually based on\r\nqualifications, agency authority, agency budget, pay equity, and hiring salary\r\nguidelines.�� \r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

92 Thomas Johnson Drive Suite 110, Frederick, MD� 21702�\r\n(Assigned Statewide and in, Allegany,\r\nGarrett, and Washington counties)\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

This\r\nposition provides technical and administrative support to the nutrient\r\nmanagement program Statewide and, in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington\r\ncounties.� The main function of\r\nthis position is to review nutrient management plans written by certified\r\nconsultants and the implementation of nutrient management plans by farmers to\r\nhelp ensure their compliance with the regulatory requirements regarding proper\r\nutilization and application of nutrients, and protection of Maryland’s\r\nagricultural and natural resources and the environment. \r\n

POSITION DUTIES

Reviews applications and evaluates\r\ncertified nutrient management plans written by certified nutrient management\r\nconsultants/farmers.� Conducts plan\r\nimplementation visits for farmers and reviews annual implementation reports\r\nensuring their compliance with state regulatory requirements using the\r\nDepartment’s Guidelines and Procedures.\r\nProvides technical assistance and\r\nissues appropriate follow-up and enforcement actions for non-compliant\r\nlicenses, consultants, nutrient applicators and farmers.� Addresses complaints using the Department’s\r\nGuidelines and Regulations for Nutrient Management Implementation.\r\nMaintains records of inspections of\r\nnutrient management plans written by certified consultants/farmers and plan\r\nimplementation by farmers for evaluation, regulatory requirements, and\r\nreporting by using hard copies and the program’s database system.� Prepares reports on inspection activities for\r\nprogram’s evaluation and compliance with the Department's objectives using\r\nprogram’s reporting format.\r\nOther\r\nrelated Nutrient Management Program duties as assigned.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:\r\nA Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which includes at\r\nleast 24 credit hours in agronomy, soil science, crops, horticulture,\r\nenvironmental science, or a related discipline.\r\nExperience:\r\nOne year of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient management\r\nplanning, or other related farming experience.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Four years of experience in\r\nagronomy, soil fertility, nutrient management planning, or other related\r\nfarming experience may be substituted for the required education.\r\n2. Candidates may substitute the\r\npossession of an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or\r\nuniversity which includes at least 12 credit hours in agronomy, soil science,\r\ncrops, horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline and three\r\nyears of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient management planning,\r\nor other related farming experience may be substituted for the required\r\nexperience and education.��\r\n3. Candidates may substitute the\r\npossession of a Master's degree in agronomy, soil science, crops, horticulture,\r\nenvironmental science, or a related discipline from an accredited college or\r\nuniversity for the required experience.\r\n4. Candidates may substitute the\r\npossession of a current nutrient management certification for two years of the\r\nrequired experience.\r\n5. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed\r\nForces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in plant\r\npathology classifications or plant pathology specialty codes in the field of\r\nwork on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess any\r\nof the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific\r\ninformation on your application regarding your qualifications.\r\nCurrent\r\nNutrient Management Consultant Certification\r\nAt\r\nleast 12 credit hours in agronomy, soil science, crops, or horticulture\r\nOne (1) or more years of\r\nexperience in agricultural production and/or turfgrass management\r\n

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification\r\nmay be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees\r\nassigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's\r\nlicense valid in the State of Maryland.\r\nEmployees in this classification\r\nmust obtain a Nutrient Management Certificate from the Maryland\r\nDepartment of Agriculture no later than one (1) year from the date of\r\nappointment and must maintain the certification.\r\n

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants\r\nwho meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further\r\nevaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your\r\neducation, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the\r\nposition.�Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and\r\naccurate information on your application.��Successful candidates will\r\nbe ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on\r\nthe�eligible (employment) list for at least one year.��The\r\nresulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar\r\npositions in this or other State agencies.\r\nPlease\r\nreport on all related education, experience, dates, and hours of\r\nwork.�Clearly indicate your college degree, transcript, and major on your\r\napplication, if applicable.�\r\nFor\r\neducation obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof\r\nof the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential\r\nevaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United\r\nStates, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one\r\nof the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at�http://www.naces.org/members.html.� Any job offer will be contingent on the\r\ncandidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreign\r\ncredential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be\r\nrequested prior to interview).�\r\nComplete\r\napplications must be submitted by the closing date.�Information submitted\r\nafter this date will not be added.� Incorrect application forms will not\r\nbe accepted.�Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed\r\napplication.��\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may\r\nconsist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the\r\nrequirements of the position.�It is important that you provide complete\r\nand accurate information on your application.�Please report on all experience\r\nand education that is related to this position.\r\n

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

G\r\n

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is�STRONGLY�preferred.\r\nIf you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application\r\nto:�Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office - Room 304,\r\n50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD� 21401. All paper applications\r\nmust be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.\r\n(Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing\r\nthe online or paper application.\r\nIt is important that all experiences be fully documented. Failure\r\nto ANSWER ALL SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND ACCURATELY may cause the\r\ncandidate to be rejected.\r\nPLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY.\r\n➢�The application is part\r\nof the examination process. Your answers will determine�your eligibility\r\nto participate in the next phase of the selection process.\r\n➢�Clearly describe your\r\nqualifications in detail. Credit cannot be given for education, training,\r\nexperience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that you fail to indicate.\r\n➢�Do not leave any answer\r\nspaces blank; if a question does not apply, write 'N/A'.\r\n➢�Although you may attach a\r\nresume to further describe your qualification, it does not substitute for\r\ncompleting the application form. An incomplete application form may result in\r\ndisqualification. Do NOT write 'see resume' in your work history or\r\nresponses to supplemental questions.\r\n➢�Failure to comply with\r\nthese instructions may result in disqualification.\r\n➢�Read the Job Announcement\r\ncarefully for specific filing instructions, supplemental questions, and final\r\nfiling dates.�\r\nIf you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or\r\ntranscripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your\r\napplication.� If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or\r\nfax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).\r\nFor questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Stacey\r\nSummers 410-841-5840 or�mda.humanresources@maryland.gov.� TTY Users:\r\ncall via Maryland Relay.\r\nAs an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to\r\nrecruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the\r\nState’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are\r\nencouraged to apply.�We thank our Veterans for their service to our\r\ncountry.\r\n