Job Specification Details

Planning and technical work involving statewide programs in the areas of pesticide registration, use, toxicology, disposal and policy; feed, seed and fertilizer inspections, pest surveys; retail product inspection; pollinator health policy and enforcement for related programs.  Duties include contact with units of federal and state government, industry, agricultural, and public health communities. 
Works to develop, administer, and evaluate long-range programs and plans for the Division. Develops strategies to protect the public health and environment from pesticide damage by implementing registration, use, sale and disposal regulations, and educational and monitoring programs. Manages the development and implementation of an educational and outreach program for pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry subjects. Oversees consistent enforcement strategies in the Division's Programs. Provides Agency input on several program related councils and advisory groups. Represents the Division in national workgroups. Oversees programs to ensure that Vermont produced farm products are the quality necessary to meet USDA and Vermont requirements. Collaborates on projects within the Agency, to ensure cohesive and efficient resource use. Develops workplans with the Vermont Agriculture and Environmental Laboratory to ensure legally defensible data is provided for the Division's programs. Assists the Director with long range department planning, legislative work and other division policies. Performs related duties as required.  
Significant interaction occurs with State Agencies and Departments, Federal Department of Agriculture, Federal Fish and Wildlife and Food and Drug Administration, and statewide food and funding organizations for agricultural development. Work is performed under the supervision of the Assistant Director and Director.

Develops, administers, and evaluates long-range programs and plans for pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry issues. Develop and lead a program for pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry issues at a statewide level. Responds as needed to internal, federal and independent auditors.
Recommends laws and drafts and implements policies and procedures to implement agrichemical, public health and plant industry programs. Attends legislative committee hearings and provides testimony concerning pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry issues as requested by the Director, or Assistant Director.  
Assists in compiling reports for Legislature and news media on pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry issues.
Develops and maintains records and reports as necessary. Represents the Agency at a variety of public and private hearings to explain and defend program policies and action, including grants administration and funding. Participates in regional and national associations on pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry issues. 
Directs the administrative services functions for the division of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets. This includes but is not limited to strategic planning, policy, personnel, facility, fleet, information technology and telecommunications areas.
Develops and monitors the budget for the division. Work involves reviewing administrative management policies and procedures, goals, and objectives, assisting in the review of administrative operations for conformance to agency rules and regulations with other directors at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Performs related duties as required.

Work is performed primarily in an office setting, but some field work is required for which private means of transportation should be available. Stress may be encountered in dealing with a wide variety of complex issues as well as strongly conflicting opinions. Evening and weekend work can be anticipated. 

Considerable knowledge of pollinator, agrichemical, public health and plant industry activities, issues, trends and applicable statutes. Incumbents will need considerable knowledge of farm production practices, pesticide products, insect vector management, horticulture, plant disease, hemp, apiaries, and invasive species.
Considerable knowledge of the State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to pesticides, invasive pests, apiaries, hemp, animal feed, seeds, fertilizers, and vector management.
Knowledge of the current and future environmental and planning needs of the agricultural sector.
Knowledge of the agricultural operations typical of Vermont
Working knowledge of the state rule making process.
Working knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including supervisory techniques.
Ability to network, collaborate and partner with other State Agencies to use strengths and knowledge of agriculture to improve environmental policy and regulation.
Ability to write and edit comprehensive rules.
Ability to write, comprehend and interpret scientific and technical publications and manuals.
Ability to adapt programs and policies in response to technological change.
Ability to interpret and apply rules and regulations of considerable complexity to both general and specific situations.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to work under pressure with a high degree of independence; set and adhere to time constraints.
Ability to determine and establish operating needs, priorities, policies and procedures.
Ability to plan, direct and coordinate the work of others and to lead groups to consensus.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff and the public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships among a variety of professional disciplines, governmental bodies, and the public.

Master's degree or higher in agriculture, biochemistry, chemistry, plant pathology, ecosystems, horticulture, water resources or a closely related field AND one (1) year or more of professional level experience in program development, analysis, or budgeting.
OR
Bachelor's degree in agriculture, biochemistry, chemistry, plant pathology, horticulture, ecosystems, water resources or a closely related field AND three (3) years or more of professional level experience in program development, analysis, or budgeting.

Experience with agrichemical, pollinator and or plant industry activities, issues and trends in Vermont and the US. 
Experience in developing and implementing educational and outreach programs as well as regulatory programs.
Experience in legislative activities, policy development, rule-writing and program development.

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