agronomist i

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 continue to expand and grow.���\r
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Seed is the single most important input to any cropping system. To be successful, the grower, whether a farmer tilling hundreds of acres or a homeowner with a hundred square foot garden, must begin with quality seed. The Turf and Seed Section conducts regulatory and service programs, including seed inspection, testing, certification and quality control services, designed to insure the continued availability of high quality seed to Maryland's seed consumers.\r

GRADE

14\r

LOCATION OF POSITION

MDA Headquarters, Annapolis\r

Main Purpose of Job

Assists in the supervised seed mixing program. Assists the certification manager in all aspects of the seed and turfgrass certification program of the Turf and Seed Section.

POSITION DUTIES

Duties include but are not limited to:\r
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Assists with supervising the mixing program of seed lots in accordance with the appropriate seed regulations. Approves component seed lots,, and performs calculations when changes are necessary. Samples component seed lots and tags are properly attached. Reviews batch sheets, prints tags and labels for Certified approved seed mixes.�\r
Assists the certification manager with the seed certification program to insure that all Maryland certified seed meets established standards. Performs field inspections on soybeans and small grains enrolled in the certification program. Samples seed lots according to protocol of the Association of Official Seed Analysts.�\r
Assists the certification manager with the turf grass certification program to insure that all Maryland certified turf grass meets established standards. Performs field inspections on certified turf grass fields.�\r
Assists in registering hemp growers and provides information to growers, potential growers and the public about the Hemp program.\r
Inspects and samples Hemp growing sites for compliance to laws and regulations.\r
Conducts inspections and samples seed lots offered for sale at retail and wholesale locations for compliance with the Maryland Seed Law and Regulations.\r
Identifies weed, disease, insect and agronomic problems and makes appropriate recommendations to growers\r
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:�� A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with at least 24 semester credit hours in one or more of the following; agriculture, agronomy, botany, crops, horticulture, plant pathology, or soils. \r
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Experience: One year of experience in agronomic, horticultural, seed or sod work. \r
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Notes:�\r
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A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, agronomy, botany, crops, horticulture, plant pathology or soils may be substituted for one year of the required experience. \r
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service�experience as a commissioned officer in soil science classifications�or soil science specialty codes in the soil science field of work on a�year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.�\r
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DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications:\r
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Experience in Turf Grasses, Small Grains & Soy and/or Industrial Hemp\r
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LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Candidates appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.� Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.\r

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Work may involve walking over rough and uneven ground, exposure to insects and animals, climbing piles of seed bags and involves being in and around seed mixers and associated machinery. Work requires lifting of bags weighing up to 60 lbs. and climbing ladders. Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings such as seed warehouses, which may be hot or cold, dusty and dirty. Sod & seed production field inspections may be conducted under hot and humid conditions. Work may involve exposure to seed and sod treated with pesticides.\r

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure 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 accept information submitted after this date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all education and experience related to the essential functions and qualifications of this position.\r
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For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.\r
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EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you detail all experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.\r

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Maryland Department of Agriculture� Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway,� Annapolis, MD� The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.\r
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Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application. 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 email, mail or fax (HR Fax # All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)\r
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If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division\r
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Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Courtney Blackistone at Users: call via Maryland Relay\r
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Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.\r
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