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ADMINISTRATOR I

Executive Secretary, State Soil Conservation Committee

Recruitment #24-002586-0011

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Introduction


The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a Department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow. 

GRADE

16

LOCATION OF POSITION

50 Harry S Truman Pkwy, Annapolis MD 21401

Main Purpose of Job

The incumbent will serve as Executive Secretary to the State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC). Leadership duties include developing policy, guidance documents, and training development for the Board Supervisors of Maryland's Soil Conservation Districts; coordinating recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture through regular meetings of the SSCC; engaging the interagency and federal conservation partnership to advance Maryland's conservation goals; and overseeing SSCC procedures and file management according to state archive and statute criteria.

POSITION DUTIES

Build capacity of Maryland's SCD Board of Supervisors, in coordination with SSCC directives:  
  • Regularly engage with the individual SCD Boards to assess needs and opportunities for training and capacity building;  
  • Facilitate discussions and/or organize training resources for the professional development of the Boards in the areas of governance, strategic planning, finances, recruitment and retention, and communications;  
  • Develop materials for SCDs Board's to proactively engage diverse, non-traditional Cooperators for program participation and potential Board membership;
  • Collaborate with MDA Outreach Coordinator(s), Training Coordinator(s) and/or MASCD leadership to accomplish duties.  
Direct monthly State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) meetings:  
  • Develop agendas and coordinate speakers and relevant topics to advance conservation in Maryland;  
  • Organize meeting calendar to prioritize topics and elevate to the Secretary of Agriculture as appropriate, including regular briefings;  
  • Develop or revise policy recommendations from SSCC to the Secretary of Agriculture; Facilitate regular discussion with SSCC Chair for meetings and development;  
  • Prepare technical and administrative information to supplement decision-making of SSCC, and implement follow up actions related to policy, program, regulatory or legislative issues; Proactively engage with SSCC membership between meetings to accomplish goals and build membership capacity; 
  • Support recruitment strategy to expand and diversify SSCC and SCD Supervisors.  
Coordinate interagency, regional, and federal Conservation Partnership to advance Maryland's conservation goals:  
  • Participate in monthly meetings with key state partners - NRCS, FSA, UM Extension and MASCD to define and prioritize Partnership goals;  
  • Build relationships with key partners that foster new guidance and policy documents on behalf of SSCC and benefit the Partnership and SCDs; 
  • Engage national organizations (e.g. NASCA) to identify best practices and opportunities to share learnings with the Partnership and SCDs.  
Lead administrative roles for State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC):  
  • Oversee meeting logistics, preparing informational materials for meetings and statewide distribution, and advising members on state policies related to appointments, ethics reporting and expenditures;  
  • Administer records of SCD supervisors' terms of office, appointments and attendance; Review and archive SCD's monthly meeting minutes;  
  • Interface regularly with key partners - SCDs, University of Maryland Extension, and Farm Bureau representatives - to ensure adequate documentation is provided for SSCC appointments;  
  • Prepares & processes Oaths of Office, and keeps records of critical SSCC business and policy decisions;
  • Serve as key liaison to SCDs to maintain and produce an annual partner directory for the Office of Resource Conservation. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Experience: Four years of administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

  1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
  2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
  3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
  4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for- year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Work experience in Soil Conservation, Natural Resources Management or the Environmental Sciences. 
  • Work experience developing policy documents or training materials.
  • Knowledge of or experience with membership engagement and/or strategy for recruitment within an organization or group in regards to diversity and inclusion.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

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.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure 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 may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you detail all experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway,  Annapolis, MD  21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the 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, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831). All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)

If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov.

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Courtney Blackistone at courtney.blackistone1@maryland.gov.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. 




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