09/15/1995 55090

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible administrative and professional work in support of the program activities and operations of the State Conservation
Commission.

The employee in this class serves as the principal administrator of the State Conservation Commission. Work involves developing and implementing administrative policies and procedures for the Commission; making meeting arrangements, including developing and scheduling agenda items and preparing minutes; serving as the liaison between state agencies, conservation districts, advisory boards, commissions, and conservation and agricultural organizations; developing and presenting annual program plans and long range strategic plans; providing fiscal oversight to the conservation districts; evaluating the effectiveness of Commission programs; and representing the Commission before special interest groups, legislators, the media and the public. An important aspect of the work involves providing advice, guidance and informational briefings to the chairperson and Commission members on a wide range of management issues affecting the Commission s program activities and operations. Work is assigned in the form of broad goals, and the employee exercises considerable independent judgment in determining specific objectives and priorities within the framework of Commission policy. Work is reviewed through reports and conferences by the Commission for attainment of goals and objectives and overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Serves as administrator of the State Conservation Commission; develops and implements administrative policies and procedures in the areas of budgeting, purchasing, contracting and personnel; makes all logistical arrangements for Commission meetings; develops and schedules agenda items; and provides advice and guidance to the chairperson and Commission members on administrative and management issues.

Provides fiscal oversight to the conservation districts by preparing annual budget allocations and monitoring the expenditure of funds.

Serves as an advocate before the legislature and federal, state and local agencies for obtaining additional funding for Commission programs.

Serves as the Commission s liaison with the Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and reviews and evaluates the work products prepared by agency staff in support of Commission programs and activities.

Develops and presents annual program plans for Commission review and approval, and develops and implements systems to define and modify the Commission s long range strategic plans.

Coordinates the approval of conservation district projects.

Oversees the administration of Pennsylvania s Nutrient Management Program, including coordinating public information and educational efforts.

Interprets rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards for the Commission and conservation districts.

Conducts studies and prepares reports of findings and recommendations on the effectiveness of Commission programs and operations.

Develops and delivers speeches and presentations to special interest groups, legislators, the media and the public on conservation district and Commission activities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of one or more fields related to the work of the Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, such as environmental protection, resource management, biological sciences, conservation and/or agricultural production.

Knowledge of current issues, problems and trends involving environmental protection, conservation, agricultural production and resource management on both
the state and national levels.

Knowledge of the organization, structure and processes of the Commonwealth s legislature.

Knowledge of the organization and functions of the Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

Skill in analyzing complex administrative and programmatic issues and problems and preparing reports of findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Skill in conducting meetings and making oral presentations.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan, organize, implement and evaluate the administrative activities of the Commission, including the areas of budgeting, purchasing, contracting and
personnel.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with legislators, governmental officials, industry representatives, the agricultural community and
the public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Any combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills and abilities.