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AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III

CONSERVATION GRANTS PROGRAM

Recruitment #21-000521-0003

GRADE

ASTD16

LOCATION OF POSITION

We are recruiting to fill three positions.

1 Opening at the Eastern Shore Regional Office - Salisbury, Maryland

2 Openings at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Headquarters - Annapolis, Maryland

Main Purpose of Job

Work is performed in conjunction with Soil Conservation Districts in the implementation of the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program, which provides grants to farmers for the installation of Best Management Practices to protect water quality. This position also administers grants for the Nutrient Management Program, Cover Crop Program and the Manure Transport Program.

POSITION DUTIES

Reviews and determines eligibility of farmer's applications to install BMPs (Best Management Practices) for MACS (Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program), Nutrient Management, Manure Transport and Cover Crop Program grants.  Examines agreement and claim for payment files for completeness and sufficient legal documentation utilizing COMAR and internal operating policies as guidance.  Assembles grant agreement and Claim for Payment packages and arranges weekly mailings.  Deals tactfully and responsively, with farmers and local, state and federal employees.

Provides guidance in the form of written procedures to local Soil Conservation Districts in their efforts to monitor grantee compliance with MACS requirements including operation and maintenance of BMPs.  Organizes periodic status reviews of completed projects; compiles statistics on results. Follows up on individual cases determined to be unsatisfactory.

Independently communicates with Soil Conservation District staff regarding documentation of individual projects for the purpose of expediting funding approval by the Board of Public Works. Prepares written replies to correspondence and performs detailed reviews of routine paperwork.

Provides information about the MACS Program to internal and external groups.  Conducts computer and file management of projects. Makes recommendations regarding modification of program policies, procedures, standards and regulations. Conducts detailed studies and complex analyses of ongoing MACS activity and prepares statistical tables, charts and final reports, including cost and efficiency studies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:    A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field.

Experience: Two years of experience in planning, engineering or program administration work related to soil conservation or water quality.

Notes:

1. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, including 3 credit hours in soils, and one year of experience in soil and water conservation work may be substituted for the required education.

2. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field may be substituted for the required education and one year of the required experience.

3. An Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field and one year of experience in soil and water conservation work may be substituted for the required education.

4. Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and two additional years of experience in soil and water conservation may be substituted for the required education.

5. Candidates may substitute planning, engineering or program administration experience in a soil conservation, water quality protection or related agricultural or natural resource program on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

6. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in natural resources management and biological science classification or natural resources management and biological science specialty codes in the soil conservation field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

  • Experience administering conservation cost share programs.
  • Nutrient Management Certification.
  • Experience planning or implementing Best Management Practices (BMP).
  • Experience preparing or reviewing grant applications.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in certain positions in this classification may be required to become Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planners (USDA/NRCS-General Manual, Title 180, Part 409).

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture  Human Resource Office, Room 304,  50 Harry S. Truman Parkway  Annapolis, MD  21401. All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, email, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Mary Darling at 410-841-5847 or mary.darling@maryland.gov

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.




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