Job Description

This is technical and planning work at the fully proficient level in soil and water conservation planning. This position assists regional and local engineering conservationists in planning, designing, recommending and implementing soil and water conservation practices, such as agricultural waste management systems, roof runoff management systems, waste storage structures, remote watering structures, shallow water control structures, shallow water wetlands, grass waterways, and contour cropping systems. This position does not supervise, but may assist in the training and guidance of lower-level employees, such as Soil Conservation Associates and Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialists.



Employee is supervised by the District Manager, and receives technical guidance from the District Conservationist. This work involves performing soil conservation planning tasks at an advanced level of proficiency, allowing for the exercise of independent judgment within broad guidelines and under limited supervision. In addition to performing the most difficult of conservation planning duties, the employee assists professional employees in planning, recommending and implementing conservation activities within the Howard Soil Conservation District. The employee applies methods and techniques of engineering and soil and water conservation principles and practices.



Work assignments may be conducted outdoors in all types of weather conditions. Work effectiveness of employees in this classification is determined by review of completed assignments and the soundness of recommended actions.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs professional conservation planning related services by applying principles and practices of agronomy, soil health or engineering to the preparation of soil conservation and water quality plans.

HIRING INFORMATION:

Hiring Organization:

Howard Soil Conservation District

Job Announcement:

see website

www.howardscd.org

and howardcountymd.gov

Please submit a resume outlining relevant experience and expertise to

jcovington@howardcountymd.gov

. Application deadline is November 28, 2025, with the position to be filled in December 2025.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

-----------------------------------------


Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Selects and applies designs for soil conservation planning using best management practices (BMPs); Works with landowners, operators and contractors in recommending or applying conservation practices; Develops soil conservation and water quality plans for cooperators; Checks construction of standardized conservation projects in progress or when complete; Evaluates and proposes solutions to drainage and soil-related problems for individuals, groups, or other units of government; Proficient in the operation of Conservation Desktop, the NRCS planning tool; Performs conservation planning duties, such as inventory and evaluation of land and farm operations, preparing and delivering maps and preparing finished plans; Provides assistance to cooperators with a variety of cost-share programs; Conducts assessments of resource concerns on farms and develops soil conservation planning prescriptions to address water quality issues; Communicates effectively with farmers, contractors, engineers, and agency staff; May oversee the work of survey operations and technicians, and contractors; May oversee construction or implementation of BMPs; May lead survey projects or other technical projects or programs; including developing designs for a variety of conservation practices; Designs or assists in designing best management practices (BMPs) such as waterways, diversion, drainage systems, animal waste management systems and other practices intended to reduce erosion or minimize pollution; Performs other related duties; May inspect installed practices to determine adherence to standards and specifications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

-----------------------------------------


A Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Courses in agronomy, environmental science, civil engineering or related fields; Experience in soil conversation planning and project design; Knowledge of soil and water conservation principles; Knowledge of land surveying; Knowledge of elementary engineering methods relative to the planning of soil and water conservation, agronomic and structural projects; Knowledge of agricultural terminology; Knowledge of cropping and farming systems; Knowledge of algebra and geometry; Knowledge of soil and water engineering design principles; Knowledge of local, state, and federal agricultural cost share programs; Skill in the application of conservation planning techniques in the areas of inventory, evaluation, design, and construction; Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications; Ability to develop and review technical engineering designs; Ability to develop plans for conservation practices; Ability to compose simple and complex drawings; Ability to perform routine computations; Ability to complete soil conservation and water quality plans using Conservation Desktop; and demonstrated proficiency with GIS systems such as Arc View, Arc Map, and Property View; Ability to communicate with engineers, architects, conservationists, landowners, contractors and others involved in soil and water conservation projects; Ability to train and provide guidance to other employees; Ability to work with other employees, contractors and the general public; Ability to conduct public meetings or hearings; Ability to provide educational programs and presentations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



This position involves physically demanding field work in all elements and climates. The work is done on farmland, woodlands, wetlands, etc. and may include exposure to steep and challenging terrain, wild animals and insects, active construction sites, heavy equipment, and a variety of difficult walking conditions (muddy, slippery, steep, etc.). The work also includes interactions with a variety of domestic animals and their manure, farm operations, electrical fences, farm machinery, etc.



The work environment is outdoors during all seasons and under all weather conditions. This work can include very loud noises due to animals, machinery, etc. as well as a variety of smells and walking conditions (mud, manure, thick brush, etc.).

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret conservation practice standards, professional designs, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, professional correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of farmers, clients, customers, and the general public.



Ability to calculate figures and amounts relevant to all aspects of surveying and designing soil conservation practices and projects. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to evaluate complex soil erosion and water quality issues and develop plans to address these challenges. Ability to calculate quantities and materials for conservation projects using a variety of cost- share programs.



Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

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NRCS Conservation Planner Certification (preferred). Class C Maryland Driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residence. Employees may also be required to be certified in Nutrient Management and demonstrate proficiency in a variety of NRCS design standards.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY:

You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history.

No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.


At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).


Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status,

military service

, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at

HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov

.

Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.