State of Maryland

A Weed Control Specialist IV is the supervisory level of field liaison work in the Weed Control Program in the Maryland Department of Agriculture.  Employees in this classification are generally assigned to specific areas of the State and serve as technical advisors in the implementation and administration of the Maryland weed control laws.  Employees in this classification provide educational, administrative, practical and regulatory assistance to county weed control programs, individual landowners and farmers.  Employees in this classification assist in the planning and development of local programs and in the training and guidance of local program personnel.  Employees in this classification are expected to accurately assess the needs of local programs, recommend appropriate means of effective program implementation and coordinate local area programs with the regulatory and administrative aspects of the statewide program.  Employees in this classification supervise and guide lower-level Weed Control Specialists and also supervise the work of county employees assigned to the local weed control programs.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Supervisor of the Weed Control Program.  Work effectiveness is evaluated through review of reports submitted and through direct observation of work performed.

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 Weed Control Specialist IV is differentiated from the Weed Control Specialist III in that the Weed Control Specialist IV has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Weed Control Specialists while the Weed Control Specialist III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. 

Trains and guides lower-level Weed Control Specialists;

Assists Weed Control County Coordinators in the implementation of county weed control programs by providing technical, administrative and logistical support services;

Contacts landowners and farmers concerning control regulations and preventive measures;

Plans and develops appropriate weed control programs for individual landowners and local jurisdictions;

Trains Weed Control County Coordinators in technical, administrative and operational aspects of weed control programs;

Recommends appropriate regulatory action against landowners who are in violation of the provisions of the nuisance weed control laws;

Meets with Weed Control County Coordinators, local governmental officials, federal officials, and others to provide information, guidance and assistance concerning the weed control laws and programs;

Provides training and guidance to less experienced Weed Control Specialists;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the nature and characteristics of weeds and the basic techniques for weed control and eradication;

Knowledge of the general uses, nature and methods of application of common herbicides;

Knowledge of the provisions of the State weed control laws.

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

Experience: Four years of experience in farming or weed control, one year must have involved the use and application of herbicides.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a degree from an accredited college or university in any agricultural, life or physical science 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 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.  

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.

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.