AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SPECIALIST III (Program Specialist)

JobAps; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 67,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Agriculture seeks a candidate to assist in implementing and managing the Manure Transport and Maryland Cover Crop Programs. You will evaluate applications, prepare grant and payment packages, and communicate with landowners, SCD staff and agencies.

The role includes QA reviews, data maintenance, and guidance on program requirements. Requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years in related work within natural resources or agriculture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, agriculture or a related field.
• Two years of experience in planning, engineering or program administration work related to soil conservation or water quality.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and determines eligibility of farmers’ applications for Manure Transport and Cover Crop.
• Assembles grant agreements and Payment for Claim packages and arranges weekly mailings to SCDs and landowners.
• Communicates with Soil Conservation District staff to explain deficiencies and steps to resolve them.
• Maintains and updates the custom applicator database and participates in Quality Assurance reviews.
• Provides information about Program requirements to SCDs, farmers, groups and agencies.

Education

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

Job description

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 andservices 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 Providingleadership 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. TThe 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!

GRADE

16 – This position offers a salary range of $67,309.00-$106,155.00Yearly/annually based on qualifications, agency authority, agency budget, pay equity, and hiring salary guidelines.

LOCATION OF POSITION

50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401

Main Purpose of Job

This 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 DUTIES

Reviews 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:
1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 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 applicantswho possess any of the following preferred qualifications.Include clear and specific information on your application regardingyour qualifications.

2 years of 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.

1 year of experience in administering conservation cost share programs or planning or implementing Best Management Practices (BMP’s).

1 year of experience in preparing or reviewing grant applications.

1 year of experience in data entry of contract and project management transactions in Salesforce CRM Enterprise Edition.

Current Nutrient Management Certification.

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

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 theeligible (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.

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 on all experience and education that is related to this position.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

B

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

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.