CONTRACTUAL HOURLY – Healthy Soils Program Agroforestry Specialist

SupportFinity™ is hiring a Contractual Hourly Agroforestry Specialist for the Maryland Healthy Soils Program in Knox, IN. The role focuses on promoting agroforestry practices, supporting climate mitigation efforts, and providing technical assistance to farmers. Responsibilities include managing grant applications, conducting outreach, and collaborating with local partners. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. This position is not remote.
CONTRACTUAL HOURLY - Healthy Soils Program Agroforestry Specialist

State of Maryland | Posted Sep 20, 2025 | Apply | Full-time | Knox | Negotiable | Unknown
Overview

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. The Office of Resource Conservation works with Maryland farmers to plan and implement conservation practices and programs that balance crop and livestock production with the need to protect natural resources. The Office provides a range of educational, financial, technical assistance, and regulatory programs to support Maryland agriculture and protect natural resources and water quality for future generations.

The main purpose of this role is to advance the State's climate mitigation efforts through increased agroforestry practice adoption and enhanced natural carbon sequestration, in alignment with EPA climate initiatives. The position supports the Maryland Healthy Soils Program, emphasizing soil health principles and methods related to planning and implementing conservation practices that yield soil health benefits. The role focuses on facilitating technical assistance and program outreach to promote agroforestry adoption in the state, working with Soil Conservation Districts (SCDs) and regional partners. It includes administering program procedures to receive, evaluate, and process grant applications, communicating with private landowners/operators, SCD personnel, and other agencies, and processing payment claims.
Responsibilities
• Provide program information and explain eligibility to Healthy Soils Competitive Fund applicants, with a focus on agroforestry installations. Review and rank competitive fund applications. Assemble grant agreements and Claim for Payment packages and coordinate distribution. Engage tactfully with farmers and local, state, and federal staff.
• Coordinate technical assistance and outreach to support agroforestry practice adoption. Schedule site visits with grant awardees for soil health sampling and project verification. Collect soil health samples and track project progress during benchmarking and verification visits.
• Collaborate with Competitive Fund awardees to plan and conduct field days and demonstrations. Coordinate with regional partners and SCDs to plan agroforestry tours and soil health events for Maryland farmers and district staff.
• Represent the Healthy Soils Program at state and regional events to promote opportunities and engage potential applicants.
• Work with regional partners to compile grant accomplishments and report to funding partners.
Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, forestry, agriculture or a related field.

Notes:
• Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree in urban/regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, and biological sciences with 3 credit hours in soils or forestry and one year of related experience.
• Candidates may substitute a Master’s degree in the listed fields with 3 credit hours in forestry or soils.
• Candidates may substitute an Associate of Arts in natural resources, agriculture, forestry, or related field with one year of related experience.
• Candidates may substitute a high school diploma/equivalency plus two years of related experience.
• Candidates may substitute relevant planning, engineering, or program administration experience on a year-for-year basis.
• U.S. Armed Forces military service as a commissioned officer in natural resources management and related fields may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for required education/experience.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with the design and implementation of agroforestry systems.
• Experience with soil health principles as they relate to agricultural conservation.
• Experience with planning and logistics of hosting agricultural field days or similar events.
• Experience with grant management, including preparing, issuing, tracking, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
Licenses, Registrations and Certifications

Operates a motor vehicle; a Maryland driver’s license is required.
Special Requirements

Field work exposure to varying weather conditions; lifting of equipment, display boards, and manuals may be required.
Examination Process

Your application is part of the examination process. The rating will consider education, training, and experience related to the position. If education was obtained outside the U.S., a credential evaluation is required prior to hire.
Benefits

Contractual employees on eligible health plans may receive subsidized health coverage with a 25% employee premium share; the State covers the remaining 75%. Optional dental, AD&D and life insurance are available at the employee’s cost. Leave accrues at one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum per calendar year.
Further Instructions

The online application is strongly preferred. Paper applications may be submitted to the MD Department of Agriculture HR Office. For any questions about the online system, contact Application.Help@maryland.gov. Inquiries regarding the recruitment can be directed to the listed contact. We encourage veterans and candidates with disabilities to apply. Maryland is an equal opportunity employer.

About the company: State of Maryland

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Experience: 3 years required