State of Maryland

18

SKILLED SERVICE         BARGAINING UNIT: G          OVERTIME ELIGIBLE

Nutrient Management Specialist III is the lead or advanced 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 that perform lead level duties assign, review and approve the work of, and train lower-level Nutrient Management Specialists. Employees in the classification with advanced responsibilities perform the most complex and controversial inspections and investigations and possess specialized knowledge in at least one type of complex and controversial investigation. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees receive general 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 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 a class specification.

The Nutrient Management Specialist III is differentiated from the Nutrient Management Specialist II in that the Nutrient Management Specialist III assigns, reviews and approves the work of, and trains lower-level Nutrient Management Specialists or performs the most complex and controversial inspections and investigations while the Nutrient Management Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. 

Nutrient Management Specialist Lead

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Nutrient Management Specialists;

Train lower-level Nutrient Management Specialists;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level Nutrient Management Specialists on 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;
Inspects and evaluates nutrient management plans developed by certified consultants and implemented by farm operators to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements;

Identifies areas of 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 or the development of nutrient management plans;

Makes recommendations and provides evidence for denials, suspensions, or the revocation of a nutrient management certificate or license;

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.

Nutrient Management Specialist Advanced

Performs complex and controversial complaint investigations of private farms that are received from constituents regarding the application and storage of nutrients as it pertains to nutrient management regulations;

Investigates commercial applicator facilities and other regulated entities to ensure compliance with nutrient management laws and regulations;

Makes complex decisions as it pertains to the winter application of nutrients for agricultural operations that require emergency provisions for application according to department policy;

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

Coordinates with higher level administrators and the Maryland Department of Environment on CAFO specialized inspections and Annual Implementation Report issues;

Issues warnings for nutrient management implementation violations and provides evidence for denials, suspensions, or the revocation of a nutrient management certificate or license;

Compiles evidence and legal documentation for legal cases pertaining to administrative penalties that are imposed on farm operations for nutrient management implementation violations;

Assists higher level administrators with the configuration of the program’s database system;

Reviews and evaluates technical documents developed by the nutrient management program for inclusion into reports and or regulatory processes;

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

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

Assists 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;

May specialize in urban nutrient management inspections and procedures or Confined Animal Feeding operations (CAFO);

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;

Skill in applying 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;

Ability to assign, review and approve the work of Nutrient Management Specialists;

Ability to train Nutrient Management Specialists.

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 may be substituted for the required experience.

Experience: Three years 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. An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university which includes at least 12 credit hours in agronomy, soil science, crops, or horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

3. A Master's degree in agronomy, soil science, crops, or horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline may be substituted for the required experience.

4. Possession of a current nutrient management certification may be substituted 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 plant pathology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees appointed to positions 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 appointed to 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 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.

October 1, 2012

July 1, 2023

Director, Division of Classification and Salary