AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III Program Specialist

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 . MDA's Vision Achieving excellence in programs and services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and the environment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence, and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders. MDA's Mission Providing leadership and support to agriculture and the citizens of Maryland by conducting regulatory, service, and educational activities that assure consumer confidence, protect the environment, and promote agriculture. Conservation Grants The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Cover Crop Program provides farmers with grants to plant small grains on their fields in the fall to conserve nutrients, control soil erosion and protect water quality. Join our team to help farmers and landowners implement conservation practices that promote healthy natural resources!GRADEASTD 16LOCATION OF POSITION50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD21401Main Purpose of JobThis position is to assist in the overall implementation and management of the Manure Transport and Maryland Cover Crop Programs.This includes participating in the development of policies and procedures, receiving, evaluating and processing applications for cost sharing assistance, evaluating proper sources of funds for the project, communicating status with private landowners/operators, Conservation District personnel and representatives from other state, and federal agencies, receiving, evaluating, and processing claims for payment.Generates on-farm status review lists, transmits, and communicates with Soil Conservation District (SCD’s) offices, participates in the Quality Assurance Reviews, and Spot Checks, tracks result, provides and coordinates training in the Field Offices as necessary to correct system problems.POSITION DUTIESReviews and determines eligibility of farmers’ applications for Manure Transport and Cover Crop.Examines agreement and claim for payment files for completeness and sufficient legal documentation.Utilizes available handbooks as the guide for the examination of necessary documentation.Communicates directly with the local Soil Conservation District office to explain any deficiencies and the steps necessary to resolve such.Assembles grant agreement and Claim for Payment packages and arrange weekly mailings to SCD’s and landowners.Deals tactfully and responsively, primarily by phone, with farmers and local, state, and federal employees.Provides guidance, in the form of written correspondence to the Soil Conservation Districts. Monitors grantee compliance with Cost share Program requirements including but not limited to NM cross compliance with MACS status. Utilizes in-office procedures and handbooks to guide actions. Maintain a lot of files that are incomplete due to missing or inaccurate information and contact SCD’s on a weekly basis with follow-up questions regarding these files.Communicates daily via phone, fax, email, and written correspondence with Soil Conservation District (SCD) staff for the purpose of obtaining necessary documentation for individual projects. Prepares written replies to correspondence from SCD’s grantees, or others inquiring about Program policies or about questions on specific projects. Performs detailed reviews of routine paperwork on a continuing basis.Provides information about various cost share programs to SCD’s, farmers’ groups, environmental groups, staff of state and federal agencies and other interested parties. Explains Program requirements and procedures as a representative of the Department and describes Program accomplishments by phone and in writing. Maintains and updates custom applicator database. Contacts custom applicators to acquire current contact information and availability.Participates in the Quality Assurance Review process and reviews files in the local SCD’s during such reviews. Also attends field visits during review to see MACS projects in the field, completes a standard review form for each project visited. Makes recommendations to the program administrator regarding modifications of Program policies, procedures, standards, and regulations.Conducts detailed studies and complex analyses of ongoing cost share program activity from inception to the present and prepares statistical tables, charts, and final reports. Prepares mailing to applicants and local SCD’s during sign-up period. Manages and tracks denial or cancellation of agreement for additional follow-up.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 Candidates may substitute for 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 for the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field for the required education and one year of the required experience. Candidates may substitute for 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 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.Desired Or Preferred Qualifications Preference will be given to applicants who possess any of the following preferred qualifications. Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications. Experience in developing complex conservation plans for farming operations, having achieved the qualifications for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planners (USDA/NRCS-General Manual, Title 180, Part 409) planning certification.Experience in administering conservation cost share programs or planning or implementing Best Management Practices (BMP’s).Experience in preparing or reviewing grant applications.Current Nutrient Management Certification.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 PROCESSApplicants 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 on 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 of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at http://www.naces.org/members.html . Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an official 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 PROCESSThe 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 on all experience and education that is related to this position.BARGAINING UNIT STATUSBBenefits STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS FURTHER INSTRUCTIONSThe 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. It is important that all experiences be fully documented. Failure to ANSWER ALL SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND ACCURATELY may cause the candidate to be rejected. PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY. The application is part of the examination process. Your answers will determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process.Clearly describe your qualifications in detail. Credit cannot be given for education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that you fail to indicate.Do not leave any answer spaces blank; if a question does not apply, write "N/A".Although you may attach a resume to further describe your qualification, it does not substitute for completing the application form. An incomplete application form may result in disqualification. Do NOT write "see resume" in your work history or responses to supplemental questions.Failure to comply with these instructions may result in disqualification.Read the Job Announcement carefully for specific filing instructions, supplemental questions, and final filing dates.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 410-841-5840 or mda.humanresources@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.