State of Maryland

A Nutrient Management Specialist Trainee is the entry level of work providing administrative and technical support to programs and initiatives pertaining to the management of plant nutrients on farm fields for crop production and the protection of water quality. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a higher level administrator. The work requires travel throughout the State and involves working outside in a variety of weather conditions.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by 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 Nutrient Management Specialist Trainee and the Nutrient Management Specialist I and Nutrient Management Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The Nutrient Management Specialist Trainee performs the duties under close supervision. The Nutrient Management Specialist I performs the duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The Nutrient Management Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to inspect and evaluate nutrient management plans developed by certified consultants to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements;

Learns to identify areas of improvement and provide technical assistance to nutrient management consultants and farm operators through individual and group training programs and workshops;

Learns to review and recommend eligibility status of applicants for nutrient management licensing and certification;

Learns to prepare reports pertaining to the Nutrient Management Certification and Licensing Program and for the development of nutrient management plans;

Learn to make recommendations and provide evidence for denials, suspensions, or the revocation of a nutrient management certificates or licenses;

Learns to explain program requirements to farmers, consultants, fertilizer dealers, sludge applicators and other interested parties;

Learns to prepare and provide information and promotional materials and give presentations about the program to interested groups or participants;

May learn to assist in scheduling, organizing, and administering nutrient management certification examinations;

May learn to assist with maintenance of databases of technical and administrative information pertaining to the development and implementation of nutrient management plans, certification, licensing and reporting;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of plant nutrients and their relationships to crop production and water pollution;

Knowledge of regional farm crops and cropping systems;

Knowledge of soil fertility, nutrient sources and the process of nutrient management planning;

Skill in using a computer terminal or personal computer and the related software to manage data bases and extract relevant information in the required format;

Ability to learn and apply laws and regulations pertaining to nutrient management planning;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to resolve conflicts and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers.

Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which includes at least 24 credit hours in agronomy, soil science, crops, horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline.

Experience: None

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute four years of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient management planning, or other related farming experience for the required education

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in plant pathology classifications or plant pathology specialty codes in the plant pathology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that 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 this classification must obtain a nutrient management certificate from the Maryland Department of Agriculture no later than one (1) year from the date of appointment and must maintain the certification.

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 G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals 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.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.  

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1)perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.