JOB TITLE: CHIEF, DIVISION OF AGRONOMIC AND REGIONAL SERVICES

JOB CODE: 51531

DEFINITION: This is managerial work directing statewide agronomic regulatory programs and managing plant industry regional operations for the Department of Agriculture.

The employee in this job manages agronomic programs, through subordinate staff, to ensure the effective regulation of animal feeds, fertilizers, soil and plant amendments, seeds, and liming materials. Work involves directing and evaluating program services related to agronomic product registration, licensing, sampling, and inspection; civil and criminal legal actions; consumer complaint investigations; product contamination inquiries; and seed analysis and certification. Work includes performing statistical analyses of program outcomes, preparing the division budget and revenue reports, drafting laws and regulations, conducting meetings with stakeholders regarding regulation changes, administering grant programs, and coordinating emergency response and homeland security functions for the bureau. Work also includes coordinating regional staff training programs, functioning as the primary coordinator between the regional office and the central office to communicate work priorities and program goals, and representing the department and conducting presentations at local, state, and national meetings. Supervision is exercised over professional supervisory staff. Work is reviewed by the director through meetings, conferences, and review of written reports for program effectiveness and results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Manages agronomic programs regulating animal feeds, fertilizers, soil and plant amendments, seeds, and liming materials.

• Directs and evaluates regional product inspections and investigations, manufacturer and distributor registration and licensing, seed laboratory and seed certification programs, and central office compliance functions for production and labeling.

• Directs and oversees penalty actions, prosecutions, and penalty collections for violations of agronomic products laws and regulations.

• Administers agronomic program investigation and enforcement activities with other jurisdictional agencies, such as Pennsylvania state agencies, representatives of other states, and the federal government.

• Performs statistical analysis on raw data for penalty evaluations, product samples, and tonnage reports to improve program efficiency and reduce costs.

• Prepares division budget proposal for inclusion in the department’s budget request.

• Drafts law amendments and regulations, and conducts meetings to communicate regulatory changes to staff and industry stakeholders.

• Administers federal and state grant programs, such as seed inspection and animal feed program grants.

• Coordinates bureau emergency response and homeland security functions with regional staff, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to identify risks and develop and communicate response plans.

• Determines needs and coordinates training for regional inspectors.

• Facilitates communications between central office and the regional staff regarding program goals and directives.

• Represents the department and conducts presentations at local, state, and national meetings, such as feed and seed organizations, and out-of-state and federal governmental agencies.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job participates in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational and organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and policies governing agronomic products.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of agronomic crop production, distribution, and certification.

• Knowledge of methods used to investigate suspected contamination of agronomic products.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques used in scientific analysis.

• Knowledge of the practices and methods of budgeting.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written and statistical information.

• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities.)

• Four years of professional experience in an agricultural regulatory program, including or supplemented by two years of professional supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, agribusiness management, agricultural and extension education, animal science, biological engineering, plant science, or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training, including two years of professional supervisory experience which includes or is supplemented by one year of professional experience in an agricultural regulatory program.