AGRI DIVISION MANAGER

Position Number: 22145271 

County: Pulaski 

Posting End Date: Open Until Filled 

Anticipated Starting Salary: $62,531

Water Quality 

Hiring Authority:

10421 West Markham Street

Little Rock, AR 72205

Phone: 501/682-3914

Email: [email protected]

As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.

Position Information

Class Code: B010C

Grade: GS11

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Salary Range: $62,531.00 – $90,670.00

Summary

The Agriculture Division Manager is responsible for directing the regulatory and enforcement activities of the division. This position is governed by state and federal laws, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and agency/institution policy.

Functions

• General: Supervises a large supervisory, inspection, and technical staff directly and indirectly through area supervisors.
• Plant Industries Division: Supervises the compilation of reports and maintenance of records, such as feed and fertilizer tonnage reports, certification, and registration records. Reviews and approves the registration and licensing and directs the field inspection of products and labels to ensure compliance. Directs the analysis of laboratory samples to determine accuracy of labeling and/or to ensure conformance with registration or certification standards. Initiates regulatory actions when products are found to be mislabeled and not in compliance with statutory requirements. Manages the division’s finances and applies for and administers federal grants for cooperative programs; develops budgets and tracks expenditures. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Livestock and Poultry Division: Directs and oversees regulatory and enforcement programs for food safety and inspection programs for disease control. Formulates strategic plans and determines priorities for resource allocation, fee updates, and establishment of program goals. Develops and implements program administrative policies, operating procedures, and rules. Negotiates and ensures compliance with cooperative agreements and contracts with USDA and users of program services. Researches technical information on sanitation, food safety production practices, inspection procedures, and administrative information and develops new programs. Formulates and manages budgets, oversees purchases, and reviews expenses and revenue collections. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Bureau of Standards: Plans for the enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to the examination of all commercially used weighing and measuring devices. Develops and revises policy and procedures for the department and interprets laws and guidelines pertaining to operations. Supervises subordinates including interviewing, hiring, training, evaluating performance, and terminating personnel. Coordinates the internal and external function of the departments. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Natural Resources: Plans, coordinates, and directs the implementation of federal or state grant programs by establishing accounting practices and maintaining budgets in accordance with agency program priorities. Interprets policies, procedures, and rules concerning water programs. Manages environmental protocols and compliances for regulations by researching applicable laws, rules, and policies. Directs and coordinates reports and conducts informational/technical assistance meetings and workshops for local officials. Provides direction to the section by interviewing and recommending for hire, assisting staff in resolving work problems, approving personnel actions, evaluating the performance of incumbents and ensuring objective performance appraisal. Coordinates the review of applications for Clean Water Act grants, monitors project operations, reviews financial and budget records, tracks activities, and sets project goals and objectives. Consults with and advises support staff on administrative and program objectives, policies, procedures, and standards to identify the impact of work problems and formulate possible solutions. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Plant Industries Division: Knowledge of supervisory practices and techniques. Knowledge of agriculture, agronomy, and plant pathology. Knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to labeling and sale of feed, fertilizer, lime, and soil amendments. Knowledge of basic personal computer functions. Ability to interpret and apply laws. Ability to administer federal grant funds. Ability to develop budget and monitor expenditures. Ability to plan work unit objectives and operational activities.
• Livestock and Poultry Division: Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource and organizational management. Ability to plan work unit objectives and operational activities and to assign and direct the work of subordinate supervisors. Ability to interpret laws and rules. Ability to develop a budget, monitor expenditures, and prepare reports. Ability to administer grant funds.
• Bureau of Standards: Knowledge of the principles and practices of personnel and fiscal management. Knowledge of state budgetary, human resources, and purchasing procedures. Knowledge of weights and measures programs and services. Ability to supervise a subordinate professional and administrative support staff. Ability to develop plans and programs based on anticipated needs. Ability to interpret and enforce state and federal laws and regulations. Ability to plan and coordinate and direct the work of others. Ability to coordinate activities with other agencies, services, and officials.
• Natural Resources: Knowledge of the principles and practices of organizational management. Knowledge of the principles of a field of engineering or environmental science. Knowledge of the environmental impact on water quality of various agriculture, industrial and government operation/practices. Knowledge of state and federal water quality laws or rules and regulations. Knowledge of the requirements for development, processing, and administration of federal grants. Ability to plan work unit objectives and to assign and direct the work of subordinates. Ability to analyze scientific reports. Ability to write detailed scientific or engineering reports and to make oral presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Plant Industries Division: The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, plant science, botany or a related field; plus four years of experience in inspection and sampling of regulated products or a related field, including two years in a supervisory or leadership capacity. 
• Livestock and Poultry Division: The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in poultry science, animal science, agriculture, the meat processing industry, or a related field; plus four years of experience in agriculture, the egg and poultry industry or a related field, including two years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Bureau of Standards: The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, mathematics or a related field; plus four years of experience in weights and measures operations and administration or a related field, including three years in a managerial capacity. 
• Natural Resources: The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural science, or a related field; plus four year of experience in environmental regulation, water conservation or a related field including two years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

Livestock and Poultry Commission: Must be licensed as a poultry grader, as a shell egg grader and in shell egg surveillance by the USDA as established by the Agriculture Marketing Act of 1946 as amended (7 USC 1621) and the Egg Products Inspection Act of 1946 (21 USC 1031-1056). 

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

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