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ADMINISTRATOR II

MALPF Administrator II

Recruitment #24-002587-0086

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.

The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) was created by the General Assembly in 1977 and operates subject primarily to Maryland Annotated Code 2-501 et al.  As of January 2021, MALPF has acquired approximately 2,500 easements at a cost of approximately $811 million in public funds. The Maryland General Assembly has set a goal to preserve 1,030,000 acres of farmland by 2030, of which MALPF easements will be the largest proportion. Our Administrator II performs an important partnership role in collaborating with the Foundation’s County program administrators involving agricultural preservation easements and other key Foundation functions. 

Come join our team and make a difference in preserving Maryland Agricultural Land!

GRADE

17

LOCATION OF POSITION

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Main Purpose of Job

One of a team of Administrators, who plan, administer, implement, analyze, and make recommendations concerning the policies, procedures, and program decisions of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), as established by the Maryland General Assembly and the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.  This position has responsibility for soliciting, acquiring, managing, and monitoring agricultural preservation easements on prime farmland in cooperation with the Foundation’s County partners to meet it statutory objectives: to preserve the land resource base for Maryland’s agricultural economy, limit sprawl development, and protect agricultural land and woodland as open space.  This position will be responsible for administering the Program in multiple counties in partnership with county Program Administrators.  The distribution of responsibilities among Administrators is subject to change at the discretion of the Executive Director.

POSITION DUTIES

Manages the application and acquisition process of new easement applicants and determines if properties proposed for easement application meet MALPF eligibility requirements.  

Prepares and presents agenda items to obtain approval from the MALPF Board of Trustees of the eligible easement applications, drafting and extending option contracts incorporating all Board conditions into the offer that is extended.

Coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure compliance with legal sufficiency requirements, helping address specific issues or problems that may arise, facilitating, as needed for the project to reach settlement.

Manages and coordinates any existing easement owner’s request to exercise reserved rights, amend easements, or other subsequent requests, as well as coordinating with other MALPF and county staff of possible enforcement actions.  

Identifies easement violations and work to resolve them in cooperation with the county and the landowners, and, if resolution is not possible, follow-up in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General.

Responsibilities associated with the need for program policy and process review and analysis to ensure an efficient and effective, forward-looking program that facilitates strategic thinking, including recommendations of changes for programmatic improvement.

Prepares and presents written and verbal testimony independently on proposed legislation before the appropriate committees of the General Assembly and provides information for the use of the Executive Director to prepare and present written and verbal testimony on proposed legislation before General Assembly committees.

Represents the Foundation to the public, as well as interagency committees, which can include formal events as well as fielding phone calls, emails, and any other inquiries.  Responds to and assists the Executive Director in preparing responses to requests for State Clearinghouse reviews.  Management of database records and hard files to ensure all relevant information and documentation is properly tracked. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Experience: Five 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 and one year of experience in administrative staff or professional work 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

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 in conservation easement programs, either in private or public sectors.

Experience in the land conservation field, specifically regarding the acquisition and stewardship of conservation easements, either in private or public sectors.

Experience in real estate transactions that are related to legal documents such as title work, property descriptions/surveys, settlement sheets, title insurance policies, deeds of easements, and appraisals, either in private or public sectors.

Experience in managing and coordinating any existing easement owner’s requests, either in private or public sectors.

Experience in managing the application and acquisition process of new easement applicants, either in private or public sectors.

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

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.  The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. 

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

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, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Stacey Summers 410-841-5842 or stacey.summers@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.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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