State of Maryland

A Conservation Associate I is the entry level of subprofessional technical work in the field of natural resources.   Employees in this classification provide assistance to higher-level Conservation Associates, Scientists, or Engineers in the performance of field projects associated with shellfish propagation, fish management, stream improvement, water resources enforcement, oil spill control, groundwater studies, or water quality studies.  Employees are expected to learn and perform the routine aspects of the work normally performed by a professional, as well as subprofessional duties.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Scientist, Engineer or higher-level Conservation Associate who assigns the work to be accomplished, the methods to be used, the time allowed, and the department policy in regard to the work.  Much of the work is performed outdoors under varied climatic conditions and may require long and irregular 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.

Assists in the conduct of biological, physical, chemical, or related field survey work involving study of populations of aquatic animals and plants or water quality analysis;

Assists in investigation of routine complaints of water pollution from industries and municipalities;

Assists in preparation of cases involving the violation of water pollution laws and regulations;

Assists in shell and seed planting activities to include operation of associated heavy equipment;

Assists in the clean-up and containment of oil spills, both on land and water;

Takes water samples from streams, rivers, ponds, reservoirs, and the Chesapeake Bay;

Assists in the operations of drilling equipment and performance of pumping tests for the purposes of evaluating groundwater conditions and supplies;

Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment utilized in performance of general duties;

May assist in experimental projects involving natural resources under the direction of a Scientist or Engineer;

May occasionally run a transit or level or serve as rodman or leader of a function of a field survey;

May assist with surveys of planting areas to determine the safest and most productive areas for oyster planting and planting of oyster shell, clamshell, slag or other material;

May prepare simple reports and maintain records;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of introductory natural resources conservation principles and practices;

Knowledge of the safe handling of small row or motor boats;

Knowledge of the geography of the State;

Knowledge of fundamental methods of measurements of distance, volume, weight, and speed;

Ability to read and interpret simple plans and specifications;

Ability to assume responsibility in carrying out natural resources studies;

Ability to perform field assignments and related office work with other employees and the general public;

Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in all kinds of weather;

Ability to assist in special research projects and investigations;

Ability to communicate.  

Education:    An Associate of Arts degree or sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university including at least eighteen credit hours in physical or biological science, engineering, or natural resources related course work.

Experience:  None.

                                                               OR

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of full-time subprofessional technical experience in the natural resources fields or engineering.

                                                               OR

Experience: One year as a Conservation Aide in State Service.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute completion of a State of Maryland sponsored Water Sewer Operators training course for one year of the required experience.

2. Applicants may substitute thirty credit hours including nine hours in physical or biological science, engineering or natural resources related course work for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources Management classifications or Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources Management specialty codes in the Engineering or Natural Resources field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education. 

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Some positions in this classification may require employees to possess a valid Class A Maryland driver’s license to appointment.

1. Candidates must be willing to travel and be available for work in any part of the State, subject to required changes of work assignments.

2. Employees to the positions in this classification may be required to reside in the assigned region, county, or area.

3. Some positions in this classification are assigned duties which will require the individual to be examined by a physician. After an offer of employment, applicants for such positions will be given a medical examination to certify the ability to perform the essential job functions.

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.

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 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.