State of Maryland

A Seed Analyst I is the entry level of seed analysis work. Employees in this classification receive initial orientation, instruction, and on-the-job training in seed analysis techniques. Employees in this classification are responsible for conducting routine tests and analyzing limited kinds of seed to determine the purity and/or germination levels of seed types. Employees in this classification identify the contents of a seed common to Maryland; categorize samples, weigh each portion of the sample, compute percentage values, and record the results of each analysis conducted. Employees in this classification assigned to the germination section implement basic test procedures and analyze and record test results. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Seed Analyst Supervisor, higher-level “Seed” Analysts, and/or the Program Manager.

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 Seed Analyst I, Seed Analyst II, and Seed Analyst III are differentiated on the basis of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The Seed Analyst I learns to perform the duties under close supervision. The Seed Analyst II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The Seed Analyst III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to perform routine analyses of limited varieties of seed lot samples in order to determine purity;

Learns to separate and identifies pure seed inert material, other crop seed, and weed seeds;

Learns to weigh particles from seed lots and computes percentage composition of samples;

Learns to operate and maintain microscopes, balances, blowers, calculators, germinators, moisture testers, and other basic equipment common to seed technology;

Learns to perform routine germination tests of limited kinds of seed;

Learns to record results of tests and/or analyses conducted;

Learns to compare purity and/or germination claims with results obtained and refers discrepancies to supervisor;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge, at the introductory level of the names, characteristics, and methods of identification of basic common varieties and kinds of crop, grass, and weed seed;

Knowledge of the basic principles of botany pertaining to seed characteristics, terminology and names of seed parts, and seed germination and growth;

Ability to identify common seed types according to observed characteristics;

Ability to compute percentages;

Ability to operate balances, scales, dividers, and other basis equipment used in seed analysis;

Ability to effectively use reference and resource materials;

Ability to accurately maintain records of analyses performed.

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

Experience: One year of successful, progressively responsible seed analysis work in a governmental agency or private industry.

OR

Experience: One year of full-time experience or its equivalent in laboratory analysis work, technical inspection work, quality control inspection, plant nurseryman work, agricultural work or equivalent experience involving attention to technical detail or knowledge of the characteristics and growth of plants and seeds.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional education in agronomy, biology, horticulture, botany, or a related science at an accredited four-year college or university may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required experience.

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

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 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 levels 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 in 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.