Address
Form of workAGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Opportunity
The Regional Markets Program supports the development of regional food economies that strengthen the economic viability of small, mid-scale, and direct marketing farms, ranches, and local food and agricultural businesses, with an objective of increasing the availability Washington-grown products in local markets, including in school meal programs. The program provides outreach, education, regulatory guidance, technical assistance, and grants to farms. The program includes several sub-programs established via statute and/or budgetary proviso including, Small Farm Direct Marketing Assistance, Farm to School, Small Meat and Poultry Assistance, Local Food System Infrastructure Grants, and equity for Underrepresented Farmers and Ranchers.
The Regional Markets Program Manager prepares and oversees the program's $28.4 million state operating budget and is responsible for the implementation of the program's strategic plan and aligning it with the state's overall local food systems effort in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders. In this position, the incumbent will play a key role in fulfilling the objectives of the WSDA Director's Focus on Food Initiative, as well as contributing to the achievement of the Governor's goals, including those related to health foods. The position is eligible to telework and on occasion may be required to report to the office for meetings or trainings.What to Expect
Some of the various responsibilities within this role include:
- Implements strategic plan to increase the availability of Washington-grown products while assisting farms and food businesses to start and/or expand operations and contributes to the development of strong local/regional food systems.
- Pursues and obtains external financial resources and grants, including cooperative agreements, Specialty Crop Block Grants, USDA Farm to School Grants, and other grants that are pertinent to the program's goals.
- Collaborates with key partners and community-based organizations on food systems issues and agricultural marketing activities.
- Tracks and reports on legislative and policy issues pertinent to sub-programs.
- Designs education and outreach strategies and provides feedback from agricultural producers and other food businesses regarding agency services and regulations affecting these businesses.
- Responds to media inquiries, oversees training workshops provide technical assistance, and presents information to stakeholders.
- A Bachelor's degree or higher in business, marketing, agriculture, nutrition or other relevant field.
- Five (5) years of relevant experience, such as directing education and outreach programs for farms and agriculture related businesses, purchasing, or selling of food for institutions, distributors, retailers or in direct or other domestic markets, development of food marketing programs, working with farms/packers to market and distribute their products, or in farm-to-school programs, food hubs, or other local food distribution systems.
- Experience in writing, obtaining, and managing grants and contracts.
- Experience managing complex, collaborative projects.
- Ability to travel in-state and nationally.
- Ability to conduct and present high quality, thorough, and objective research and analysis and present findings verbally as well as in narrative form and graphical presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to represent local, state, or federal agencies on the behalf of executive leadership.
Communication, Customer Focus, Professional Behavior, Valuing Others, Work Standards, Decision Making, Influence, and Earning Trust.
In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities would make your application more competitive:
- Developing, managing, or supporting education, outreach, and/or regulatory assistance service programs in agriculture.
- Detailed knowledge of food service programs in schools and other institutions.
- Detailed knowledge of direct markets or markets of interest to small and mid-sized farms, such as farmers markets, Community supported agriculture, small-scale retail, and local food distribution networks.
- Detailed knowledge of the regulatory compliance issues and market requirements necessary for farms and other agriculture-related businesses to sell products into a range of markets, particularly in the areas of food safety, food processing, and small-scale meat and poultry product development and sales.
- Experience buying food in the food distribution, institutional food service or retail food industry.
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- Seattle office locations receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend
How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
· Current resume detailing experience and education
· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
· Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
Employment Type: Agency Internal Promotional - Permanent
