SOIL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE II (Various Openings Throughout Maryland)

Introduction

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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!

GRADE

ASTD12

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 Prince George's County
• Western Soil Conservation Region : 1 opening in Carroll County, 1 opening in Garrett County, 1 opening in Washington County
• Central Soil Conservation Region : 1 opening in Harford County
• Eastern Shore Soil Conservation Region : 1 opening in Queen Anne's 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 position is to build on the principles of soil and water conservation engineering to achieve the Watershed Implementation Goals (WIP lll) for Chesapeake Bay restoration and protection.

Employees in this classification learn and review technical aspects of soil and water conservation practices, including soil and water conservation engineering involving engineering tasks, following prescribed methods and procedures.

The principles of engineering include survey, design, and construction oversight of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on agricultural land.

Staff assigned to this position receive technical guidance from National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationists and Engineering Staff as well as Maryland Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Engineering Technicians.

POSITION DUTIES

• Perform site evaluations and site-specific surveys to assess the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Develop designs of BMPs based on NRCS and / or MDA standards and procedures.
• Participate in assigned training and meet the production goals for this position.
• Track on-site construction of BMP(s) to assure adherence to approved design plans and specifications and complete As-built plans for final approval.
• Assist in the fulfillment of Incentive program requirements and other programmatic needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Experience : One year of experience related to soil and water conservation in such areas as surveying, drafting, construction, or agricultural work.

Notes :

• Candidates may substitute one year of additional experience as defined above for the required education.
• Candidates may substitute education at an accredited college or university at a rate of 30 credit hours per year with at least nine credit hours of course work in engineering, construction, drafting, surveying, science, agronomy, or mathematics or any combination of the above for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in soil conservation classification or soil conservation specialty codes in the natural resources management and biological sciences field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

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 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 [email protected].

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