Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

The Inspection Services Division is recruiting to fill one (1) Associate Governmental Program Analyst position located in Fresno County.

The hiring unit has established the following internal cut-off dates for this Job Control:

• April 15, 2024
• May 15, 2024
• June 15, 2024

Applications will be reviewed after each date listed above, and selections can be made. However, the Job Control will remain open until the vacancy is filled. If your application is submitted after the most recent cut-off date, it will be applied to the next review period.

Under the general direction of the Staff Services Manager II, the Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) serves as an independent field analyst who collects, analyzes, and evaluates complex data collected from California food producers, distributors, processors, food hubs or other value chain partners. The Regional Producer Engagement Specialists work in concert with CDFA Farm to School Regional Network Leads, the CDFA Farm to School Network, and regional partners to create solutions that serve the California school food community and advance CDFA’s Farm to School Roadmap.

This position will serve the San Joaquin Region which includes the following counties: Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare, Kern and Inyo.

The incumbent must have initiative, good judgement, independent action, timeliness, prioritization of multiple projects, good verbal and written communication skills, proficient computer skills and knowledge of a variety of software, including but not limited to:

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet social media functions.

• Design, create, evaluate, and refine a community asset mapping tool within the California Farm to School Network Region. This includes conducting a landscape analysis of California school food stakeholders like producers, distributors, processors, food hubs, or other value chain stakeholders.
• Once collected, utilize data to create and present reports for CDFA internal stakeholders as well as regional stakeholders. Analyze the data to develop potential policy and administrative solutions and make recommendations to best achieve program goals. Reports will succinctly analyze stakeholder input, identify areas for collaboration across local, regional, and State resources, and make program policy recommendations on a regional and statewide basis.
• As needed, Regional Producer Engagement Specialists will design, test, implement, and evaluate new solutions to support stakeholder needs.
• Develop and implement the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, which includes making recommendations on grant program design and implementation based on data collected during ongoing landscape analysis; creating opportunities for public information sessions regarding grant application; and creating, implementing, and evaluating scoring criteria for funding. Once funding is distributed, create regular check-in schedules, interview scripts, data collection tools, evaluation schedules, and reports on grant progress, successes, and challenges.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The duties of this job are performed indoors 75% of the time. The incumbent in this position teleworks at least 90% of the time. The incumbent is supplied with the necessary tools and supplies to perform the assigned duties, including, but not limited to, a cell phone, a laptop computer with various software programs, and a multifunction print/scan/copy machine.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA’s Telework Policy. Travel by private vehicle, state vehicle or public transportation to various locations throughout the State such as conferences, site visits or outreach events may be required. A valid driver’s license is required.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ASSOCIATE GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM ANALYST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-421773

Position #(s):

014-730-5393-005

Working Title:

Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist

Classification:

ASSOCIATE GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM ANALYST

$5,684.00 – $7,114.00 A

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Fresno County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Inspection Services Division (Division) fulfills its mission by providing professional services which support and contribute to a safe, abundant, quality food supply, environmentally sound agricultural practices, and an equitable marketplace for California agriculture. The Division’s priority is to provide the highest degree of consumer protection, analytical services, and grading services. The Division is comprised of three branches: Center for Analytical Chemistry; Feed Fertilizer & Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services; Inspection & Compliances and, an Administration unit. Within the Division’s Administration unit is the Office of Farm to Fork (Office), which currently operates the statewide California Nutrition Incentive Program, the California Urban Agriculture Grant Program, the California Farm to Community Food Hub Grant Program, the California Farm to School Program (including the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program), and the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program.

Special Requirements

Applicants are required to complete a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard state application (Examination/Employment Application STD 678). The SOQ is required to elicit information regarding each candidates’ interest and experience in relation to this position. The completed SOQ must address the questions below, should not be more than one page, using Arial, 12-point font size. Applications with SOQs that do not address the questions below will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses to the SOQ.

Statement of Qualifications

1. Describe how your education and work experience demonstrates your ability to establish and lead a region of the California Farm to School Network.

2. What does equity in agriculture mean to you, specifically in the farm to school space, and how do you feel you could contribute to expanding efforts at CDFA to address equity in agriculture?

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Attn: Human Resource Branch JC-421179

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Human Resource Branch JC-421179

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA95814

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-421179

08:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications –
• A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the “Special Requirements” section.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate’s relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work independently.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:

Rachel Alcaraz

(916) 823-7415

[email protected]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department’s EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Office of Civil Rights

(916) 654-1005

[email protected]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Hard Copy Applications

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 10/2023 version.

Additional Information

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Alternate Classifications and Training and Development assignments may be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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