State of Maryland

A Conservation Associate II This is the intermediate level of subprofessional technical work in the field of natural resources.  Employees in this classification perform a variety of duties requiring knowledge of natural resources activities and programs including shell planting and seed moving operations in the oyster repletion program, collecting shellfish or finfish, performing field surveys of bottom organisms, stream improvement, water resources enforcement, oil spill control, groundwater studies, and water quality studies.  Employees are expected to learn and perform the routine aspects of work normally performed by a professional, as well as subprofessional duties.  Employees in this classification oversee lower-level subprofessional employees assisting in carrying out assignments or contractors engaged in shellfish harvesting.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from an Engineer, Scientist or higher-level Conservation Associate, who provides written assignments along with appropriate completion schedules.  Work is always reviewed upon completion, and approval is normally requested before any deviation is made from established schedules.  Much of this 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 experimental projects involving natural resources under the direction of a Scientist or Engineer;

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 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;

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

Runs a transit or level or serves as a rodman or leader occasionally for the purpose of evaluating surface conditions or floodplain delineation studies;

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;

Prepares simple reports and maintain records;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of introductory principles of surveying and mapping;

Knowledge of elementary natural resources conservation principles, practices, methods and procedures;

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

Knowledge of the geography of the State;

Knowledge of fundamental methods of the measurement of distance, volume, weight, and speed;

Ability to assist in carrying out fish experiments or investigations of pollution complaints;

Ability to obtain necessary information;

Ability to work effectively with other employees, contractors and the general public;

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

Ability to make simple drawings and perform routine computations;

Ability to carry out special projects and investigations;

Ability to communicate;

Ability to oversee the work of other employees as necessary.  

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: One year as a Conservation Associate I in State Service.

                                                                       OR

One year full-time subprofessional technical experience in the natural resource fields or engineering.

                                                                       OR

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

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

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute the 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 of which nine hours must be 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 that the employee possess a valid Class A Maryland driver’s license prior 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 appointed to 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.