Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist III; Program Specialist

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.

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!

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

50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401

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.

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…