State of Maryland

An Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist Lead/Advanced is the lead or advanced level of work in soil and water conservation work related to agricultural operations, property, and land. Employees in this classification with lead worker responsibilities assign, review, and approve the work of and train lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists but do not supervise other positions. Employees in this classification with advanced level responsibilities provide both broader and more in-depth levels of technical knowledge to other Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist within their districts or regions but they do not supervise others.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Resource Conservation Regional Coordinator, Resource Conservation District Supervisor or other designated administrator. Technical guidance may be provided by a USDA District Conservationist. Considerable time may be spent out-of-doors under varying climatic conditions in rural areas often requiring extensive travel and evening hours.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists Lead/Advanced is differentiated from the Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists III in that the Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists Lead/Advanced assigns, reviews, and approves the work of and trains lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists or functions as a technical resource expert within a district or region while the Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist LEAD

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Trains lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Coordinates with representatives of soil conservation districts, and local, state, and federal agencies responsible for carrying out soil and water conservation projects, plans or structures;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists to evaluate land use problems and best management practices (BMP) and propose solutions to resource concerns or BMP status;

Develops checklist and provides guidance for lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists to apply when securing necessary field data and associated material such as soil maps, aerial photos, and MD Property Finder to prepare

plans and review project applications;

Designs or assists in designing best management practices (BMPs) such as waterways, diversions, drainage systems, animal waste management systems and other practices intended to reduce erosion or minimize pollution;

Reviews and recommends feasibility studies, field work, engineering calculations, drafting and records management of lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Oversees construction or implementation of best management practices;

Inspects installed practices to determine adherence to specifications;

May inspect and evaluate comprehensive soil conservation and water quality plans that provide for effective erosion control and water quality improvement or water management developed by lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Performs other related duties.

Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist ADVANCED

Directs, coordinates, and develops comprehensive resource planning and development projects for the optimum utilization of resources on a regional or statewide basis;

Provides technical advice and assistance on all phases of conservation planning projects and on qualifying procedures to be followed under federal assistance planning programs;

Consults with State and federal agency officials on matters of interest and intergovernmental environmental and natural resources planning and serves on state and national conservation planning committees;

Visits agricultural organizations, citizens advisory boards, or agricultural community events in an effort to stimulate interest in the creation, promotion, or coordination of planning for the utilization and conservation of natural resources;

Serves as an expert consultant throughout the program to provide advice on a wide range of BMPs within various MDA programs, such as MD Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program, Nutrient Management, Manure Transport and Cover Crop Grant Programs.

Approves applications, agreements, claims for payment information and other required documents submitted by lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Inspects and evaluates comprehensive soil conservation and water quality plans that provide for effective erosion control and water quality improvement or water management developed by lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Provides programmatic guidance to lower-level Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists, field operations staff, farm operators, agricultural landowners, and federal, State, and local employees to clarify program requirements and resolve complex technical and administrative questions;

Monitors grantees’ compliance with federal and State program requirements and standards and arranges for periodic checks of funded and constructed BMPs;

Conducts computer and file management of projects and assists with maintenance of databases of technical and administrative information pertaining to Resource Conservation programs;

Makes presentations about the Resource Conservation Programs to farmer groups, environmental groups, staff of local,

State, and federal agencies and other interested parties;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of soil and water conservation principles, practices, methods, and procedures;

Knowledge of soil types;

Knowledge of land use factors that affect soil erosion and water quality;

Knowledge of aspects of agronomy, hydrology, and engineering related to the planning and installation of soil and water conservation projects;

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of surveying and drafting; Skill in recognizing soil erosion and water quality problems;

Knowledge of associated agriculture land conservation practices and systems common to the work area, and how practices function in a conservation system to address soil erosion, water quality, wildlife habitat, and other resource concerns;

Knowledge of Job Approval Authority (JAA) policy and procedures;

Knowledge of policy and procedures to protect threatened & endangered animal and plant species;

Knowledge of requirements for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), and Maryland Feeding Operations (MAFOs), and how they affect conservation decisions in the production area;

Skill in developing plans for conservation practices;

Skill in analyzing soil types and recognizing advantages and limitations of soils;

Skill in preparing and presenting reports;

Skill in using a computer and the related software to generate a conservation plan or manage databases;

Ability to apply laws, rules and regulations concerning soil and water conservation and grants programs;

Ability to use program manuals, forms, web-based resources, and guides to assure BMPs and conservation measures meet program requirements;

Ability to make sound recommendations;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with State, federal and community representatives, farm operators, landowners, and the public.

Ability to assign, review and approve the work of Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists;

Ability to train Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists.

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture, engineering, or a related field.

Experience: Three years of experience in planning, engineering, or program administration work related to soil and water conservation or water quality protection programs.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute four additional years of experience in planning, engineering or program administration work related to soil conservation or water quality 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 two years of the required experience.

3. 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.

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 are required to become Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planners (USDA/NRCS-General Manual, Title 180, Part 409).

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B, Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes. As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.