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 continues to expand and grow.
The Office of Resource Conservation provides the State's soil conservation districts with operating funds and staffing support to deliver local soil conservation and water quality programs. Agricultural landowners or operators rely on the expertise of specialists working in district offices to help them develop plans to protect natural resources and comply with environmental laws. Join our Team and make a lasting impact towards achieving environmental and conservation goals!
LOCATION OF POSITION
Current openings are in the regions noted below. The eligible list will be used to fill vacancies in other regions as they occur during the life of the eligible list.
Southern Soil Conservation Region:
- 1 opening in Anne Arundel County
- 2 openings in Calvert County
- 1 opening in St. Mary's County
Western Soil Conservation Region:
- 1 opening in Allegany County
- 1 opening in Washington County
Central Soil Conservation Region:
- 1 opening in Harford County
Eastern Shore Soil Conservation Region:
- 1 opening in Dorchester County
- 2 openings in Wicomico County
Be sure to check the corresponding county or counties in the Employment Preferences section of your application.
Main Purpose of Job
The purpose of this entry-level position is to learn the principles of soil and water conservation planning to achieve the Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP III) planning goals for Chesapeake Bay restoration and protection. Work in this position receives close supervision and begins to develop an understanding of soil and water conservation principles and techniques related to identifying resource concerns on agricultural land. Staff assigned to this position receive technical guidance from the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist and work with experienced conservation planners when meeting with agricultural landowners or operators to gather input for the development of a Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan (SCWQP) to address the resource concerns identified on agricultural land they own and/or control.
NOTE: These are entry-level positions, with opportunity to advance to levels II & III within the Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist series.
POSITION DUTIES
- Develop or revise a Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan (SCWQP) for the cooperator/landowner that identifies and addresses resource concerns with consideration given for the needs and priorities of their farming operation and meets the guidelines and standards for a SCWQP as defined by MDA or National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
- Meet the planning goals for this job classification by developing SCWQPs for cropland, pastures, and headquarters acres, which is consistent with WIP III planning goals.
- Participate in assigned training to learn the principles and skills necessary to identify and address resource concerns on agricultural land, develop SCWQPs and to obtain NRCS Level I Planner Certification.
- Provide assistance to agricultural landowners and operators participating in MDA, NRCS, and other partner incentive programs by informing them of program eligibility requirements, opportunities, and completing the required forms for participation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field.
Experience: None.
Notes:
- Candidates may substitute the possession of 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 for the required education.
- Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’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 work for the required education.
- Candidates may substitute the possession of 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 for the required education.
- Candidates may substitute 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 for the required education.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications are 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. If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas and 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 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.
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. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Kathleen Newhouse at 410-841-5837 or kathleen.newhouse2@maryland.gov.
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