State of Maryland

A Supervisor, Weed Control is the agronomic regulatory work at the supervisory and administrative level.  The employee in this classification is responsible for planning, directing, implementing, and coordinating both the administrative and technical phases of a statewide program aimed at the eradication and control of noxious weeds detrimental to agriculture in the State.  The employee in this classification has statewide responsibility for the administration and implementation of laws and regulations pertaining to weed control and eradication and serves as the Maryland Department of Agriculture's expert on these matters and involves the supervision of a staff of Weed Control Specialists who provide technical advice and guidance to personnel of county weed control programs, farmers, and individual landowners.  The employee in this classification has considerable professional contact with farmers, agri-business employees, other members of the public and other governmental employees.  The employee in this classification provides supervision and coordination to Weed Control Specialists, administrative and clerical personnel of the Weed Control Section.

The employee in this classification receives administrative direction of the Director, Division of Plant Industries and confers with the Director on matters of policy and program objectives.  Work effectiveness is determined through conferences and evaluation of program results.

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.

Directs and coordinates the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Weed Control Section;

Plans, organizes and supervises the work of Weed Control Specialists, clerical workers and other assigned personnel;

Develops section operating rules and procedures in conformance with applicable laws and departmental policies;

Recommends changes to weed control laws and regulations to the Division Director and Secretary;

Originates budget requests of the Weed Control Section for submission to the Division Director;

Serves as principal departmental advisor on matters concerning weed control and eradication;

Selects, trains and develops staff;

Insures adequate flow of necessary supplies and materials.

Attends meeting and conferences for planning or corrective work in the field of weed control and eradication.

Coordinates the programs of the Weed Control Section with those of the counties in the State.

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of basic agronomic principles, weed control principles and practices and crop handling practices;

Knowledge of Maryland crops and cropping systems;

Knowledge of plant disease and insect problems;

Knowledge of the Maryland Weed Law and regulations to include Agriculture Title 9, Subtitle 4 of the Annotated Code of Maryland regulations (copies are available at the Maryland Department of Agriculture);

Knowledge of the elementary, basic concepts of supervisory and management practices;

Knowledge of basic administrative procedures and practices;

Ability to direct and coordinate the efforts of other employees;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department officials, fellow employees and the general public.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in an agricultural science from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of weed control, agricultural chemical marketing or sales, other applied agronomic experience or as an Extension Agent in the agricultural sciences.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in agronomy or horticulture from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

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 experience and education.  

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.