ADMINISTRATOR II (Training Coordinator)

at  State of Maryland

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.
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. Nutrient management 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.
COME JOIN THE Nutrient Management Team!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Five years of administrative staff or professional work.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for- year basis for the required experience.

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S). INCLUDE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON YOUR APPLICATION REGARDING YOUR QUALIFICATIONS.

Current Nutrient Management Consultant Certification
Current Professional Fertilizer Applicators Certification
Current Instructional Design Certification
Experience in working with external vendors, partners, stakeholders and public interests on all training related matters.
Experience in instructional design, program development, education/training, or professional development and adult learning.
Experience in facilitating and organizing training sessions, workshops, webinars, certification exams, and focus groups, ensuring effective delivery of content and participant engagement of more than 50 learners.
Experience with learning management systems and instructional design software.
Experience in analyzing training data to identify trends, measure effectiveness, evaluating program effectiveness, and inform decision-making for program improvements.
Experience in MS PowerPoint or similar presentation programs.
Experience in demonstrating strong written and verbal communication skills for effective training delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Experience in demonstrating the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

This position administers and coordinates nutrient management related training statewide with the University of Maryland Agricultural Nutrient Management Program Coordinator, scientists, and Extension educators. Organizes training programs for various groups involved in program delivery and implementation of nutrient management laws. Develops educational and outreach materials on regulatory requirements, organizes workshops for a diverse group of consultants, nutrient applicators, farmers, and fertilizer users in urban and agricultural landscapes and participates in certain teaching programs as needed. This position requires considerable technical knowledge and strong communication and educational skills to work with university scientists and specialists and the regulated community.

POSITION DUTIES

Continuously develops, organizes and oversees nutrient management educational programs on a semi-annual basis to enhance the regulated community’s knowledge and skills in proper management of nutrients. This community includes consultants, nutrient applicators, farmers, and fertilizer users in urban and agricultural landscapes.
Develops accurate and up-to-date instructional materials and coordinates educational contents of courses in conjunction with the University of Marylnad. Also coordinates, leads, and moderates training programs for the regulated community with county Extension educators and other technical and educational resources.
Develops, organizes, and oversees training activities to include pre-exam and continuing education courses. Assigns appropriate continuing education credits to courses. Verifies that all training programs conform to the state’s nutrient management laws and regulations.
Develops, organizes, and oversees nutrient management consultant certification and Professional Fertilizer Applicators Exams. This includes verifying continuing education requirements and eligibility to take nutrient management exams and procure licenses. Conducts and scores the nutrient management certification examinations. Oversees issuance of appropriate certificates and licenses to certify individuals and license firms to develop nutrient management plans and apply nutrients to turf grass. Organizes and facilitates all pre-exam training.
Coordinates the program’s outreach needs with the Resource Conservation Information Officer for brochures, articles for Newsletters, annual reports, training materials and other publications. Develops annual work plan and announces training programs to all targeted groups. Educates and provides information about the Maryland Nutrient Management Program incentives and regulatory requirements to assist the agricultural community, private and public consultants, educators, and specialists.
Coordinates and oversees arrangements with event venues on an as needed basis when setting up training events. Works with caterers and lodging establishments on an as needed basis for programs that involve providing meals and or lodging accommodations following state policies.
Other related Nutrient Management Programs duties as assigned.