Job Specification Details

Managerial, analytical, planning, and coordination involving the policy development, land use policy and coordinating work for regulatory function, enforcement protocols and actions and rule making process at a professional level. The incumbent exercises significant judgment, discretion, and decision making in establishing and executing Agency programs, goals, objectives, and operating procedures. Extensive interaction occurs with other Department and Agency officials. Supervision is exercised over a small professional staff. Duties involve agency-wide, inter-agency, public and federal congressional delegation coordination for policy development and analysis. Identifies and resolves inter-departmental and inter-agency policy and programmatic issues arising from projects in the regulatory process; and the development, implementation and revision of policies and procedures that affect the Agency of Agriculture. Duties are performed within the framework of State statutes, Agency policies, and the general direction of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Director of Administrative Services IV.

Plans, develops, coordinates and oversees integrated review processes by which the Agency and the rest of State Government review agricultural projects, including Act 250, Conservation Easement Stewardship requests and Accepted Agricultural Practice Rules affecting local zoning variances. Provides recommendations or policy determinations for Act 250, zoning conservation easements and Section 248 projects. Collects and analyzes data to report on trends in regulation, land use and agricultural impacts. Mediates disputes with farmers, the public, developers and state personnel within Act 250 and conservation stewardship. Plans, organizes and convenes meetings of VAAFM and other state agency staff, and which may also include federal, regional or municipal officials, farms and the public. Reviews mandated laws, regulations and rules and makes recommendations for change to the Secretary of Agriculture. Works with staff and public on the effect of policies. Provides case management for large, complex or controversial projects. Hires, trains, motivates, and evaluates key land use staff. Initiates changes, as necessary to respond to new priorities, budget adjustments, and changing technology.

Coordinates all enforcement activities within the Agency of Agriculture, including Food, Safety and Consumer Assurance, Dairy, Meat Inspection, Water Quality, Pesticide sections. Develops and monitors tracking system for all enforcement actions, pre-hearing and hearing meetings. Assist division personnel in determining probable cause and formulating final order documents for review by the secretary. Interacts with the business office to track penalty collection. Works with Agency Attorney to interpret and develop procedural rules and policies. As necessary may be required to provide testimony for legal cases. May act as internal hearing officer in certain cases. Makes determinations and creates a policy manual on the Accepted Agricultural Practice (AAP) determinations related to zoning and whether an activity is considered "farming" by being an AAP. Communicates and refers zoning cases in floodplains to the Agricultural Resource Management division.

Assists Agency management to develop and meet procedural requirements for rules through the state mandated process - meeting deadlines, proper format and managing input from public comment meetings. Act as the Agency of Agriculture's representative to ICAR.

Acts as legislative liaison during the session. Provides information on legislative activities to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary and coordinates expert testimony and information for legislators from the Agency of Agriculture.

Duties are performed in an office setting. Travel is required in state and out of state with possible overnight stays required. Significant work outside of normal office hours may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of land use planning, Act 250 practices and procedures and land use conservation.

Considerable knowledge of state law and administrative penalties, hearings and legal proceedings.

Knowledge of state and federal land use and agricultural statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to correctly interpret and apply complex rules and regulations to specific cases.

Ability to negotiate and to advocate aggressively without jeopardizing working relationships.

Ability to organize and conduct formal meetings.

Skill in simplifying and presenting technical materials to the general public.

Ability to develop appropriate administrative penalty tracking procedures.

Ability to make and defend decisions under pressure.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Bachelor's degree or higher AND four (4) years or more of experience at a technical or professional level in a regulatory agency, business, public administration, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural law, land use planning, or a related field INCLUDING two (2) years or more of supervisory or program administrative experience.

Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural law, land use planning or a related field.