State of Maryland

A Nutrient Management Specialist I is the intermediate 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 Nutrient Management Specialists.

Employees in this classification receive moderate 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, 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 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.

Inspects and evaluates nutrient management plans developed by certified consultants and implemented by farm operators to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements;

Identifies areas for improvement and provides technical assistance to nutrient management consultants and farm operators through individual and group training programs and workshops;

Reviews and recommends eligibility status of applicants for nutrient management licensing and certification;

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

Makes recommendations and provides evidence for denials, suspensions, or the revocation of nutrient management certificates or licenses;

Prepares informational presentations and promotional materials to provide information about the Nutrient Management

Certification and Licensing Program requirements to farmers, consultants, fertilizer dealers, sludge applicators, and other interested parties;

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

May assist with the 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 databases 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: One year of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient management planning, or other related farming experience.

Notes:

1. Four years of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient management planning, or other related farming experience may be substituted for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university which includes at least 12 credit hours in agronomy, soil science, crops, horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline for two years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in agronomy, soil science, crops, horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a current nutrient management certification for two years of the required experience.

5. 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 field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

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.