State of Maryland

A Seed Analyst Supervisor is the supervisory level of work in seed analysis work responsible for the conduct of purity, germination and other tests on seed samples in the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Turf and Seed Section.  Employees in this classification supervise a unit of lower-level Seed Analysts and assistants.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Laboratory Manager.  Work is performed in a laboratory setting.

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 Supervisor is differentiated from the Seed Analyst IV in that the Seed Analyst Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Seed Analysts while the Seed Analyst IV performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  

Assigns work and coordinates work flow with staff resources and work priorities;

Reviews seed analysis procedures, standards, and techniques for accuracy and uniformity;

Recommends procedural or policy modifications to improve operational efficiency;

Checks the accuracy of analyses performed by staff;

Supervises the training of lower-level Seed Analysts and temporary and part time helpers;

Interprets and applies laws, rules and regulations pertaining to seed analysis and testing procedures;

May independently perform special tests or analyses of unusual or difficult to identify seed samples;  

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the characteristics and identification methods of a wide variety of crop and weed seeds;

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in analyzing and testing seed samples;

Knowledge of the principles of botany pertaining to seed characteristics;

Ability to accurately identify and classify a wide variety of seed types according to observed characteristics;

Ability to make percentage computations;

Ability to operate balances, scales, germinators, blowers, dividers, and other specialized equipment;

Ability to use reference and resource materials effectively;

Ability to supervise the work of others;

Ability to communicate ideas effectively.

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

Experience: Five years of experience as a Seed Analyst in a governmental agency or in private industry.

                                                                    OR       

Education:   None.  

Experience: One year of experience as a full performance level Seed Analyst in State service.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute education at an accredited college or university in agronomy, biology, botany, crop science, horticulture, or seed technology on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of 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 departments 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.