Nutrient Management Specialist ; Nutrient Management Specialist ; Food Processing Residuals

Introduction

Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agricultural needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services—including 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 Nutrient Management Program protects water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by ensuring that farmers and urban land managers apply fertilizers, animal manure, and other nutrient sources in an effective and environmentally sound manner. Maryland law requires all farmers grossing $2,500 a year or more, or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight, to follow nutrient‑management plans when fertilizing crops and managing animal manure.

These plans specify how much fertilizer, manure, or other nutrient sources may be safely applied to crops to achieve yields and prevent excess nutrients from impacting waterways.

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50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401

This position provides technical and administrative support to the nutrient‑management programs in the food‑processing residuals section statewide. The main function is to review applications and inspect nutrient‑management plans submitted for the permitting process and for implementation by farmers, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements regarding proper utilization and application of nutrients and protection of Maryland’s agricultural and natural resources and the environment.

• Review applications and evaluate certified nutrient‑management plans written by certified consultants/farmers submitted to the food‑processing residuals section for permitting.
• Conduct plan implementation visits for farmers and review annual implementation reports related to food‑processing residuals.
• Issue permits, ensuring compliance with state regulatory requirements using departmental guidelines and procedures.
• Provide technical assistance and issue appropriate follow‑up and enforcement actions for non‑complaint licenses, consultants, nutrient applicators, and farmers.
• Address complaints and farm emergency winter conditions to ensure compliance using guidelines and regulations for nutrient‑management implementation.
• Maintain records of inspections of nutrient‑management plans written by consultants/farmers and plan implementation by farmers for evaluation, regulatory requirements, and reporting using hard copies and the program’s database system.
• Prepare reports on inspection activities for program evaluation and compliance with the department’s objectives using program reporting format.
• Perform other related nutrient‑management program duties as assigned.

• Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, which includes at least 24 credit hours in agronomy, soil science, crops, horticulture, environmental science, or a related discipline.
• Experience: One year of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient‑management planning, or other related farming experience.
• Notes:
  • Four years of experience in agronomy, soil fertility, nutrient‑management planning, or other related farming experience may be substituted for the required education.
  • Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts degree that includes at least 12 credit hours in a related discipline and three years of experience in a related field for the required education and experience.
  • Candidates may substitute a master’s degree in a related discipline for the required experience.
  • Candidates may substitute a current nutrient‑management certification for two years of the required experience.
  • Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non‑commissioned officer in plant pathology classifications or specialty codes on a year‑for‑year basis for the required experience.