EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSIONER - 80451

Annual Salary: $78,528.00 - $101,448.00

About the Department

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is a Cabinet agency committed to ensuring agriculture and forestry remain the leading industries in Tennessee. The Department serves, supports, and promotes agriculture and forestry in all 95 counties through robust programming and responsible regulation. Department functions are wide-ranging, including animal health, food safety, weights and measures, licensure and permitting, forest management, pesticide certification, and the Pick Tennessee Products program, among others.

About the Role

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is seeking a highly organized, discreet, and mission-driven Executive Administrative Assistant to support the Commissioner and help advance one of Tennessee's most vital industries. This is an exceptional opportunity for a skilled administrative professional to work at the center of a Cabinet agency that serves all 95 counties. The Department protects and promotes Tennessee agriculture and forestry through wide-ranging programs and responsible regulation from animal health and food safety to forest management, pesticide certification, licensing, and Pick Tennessee Products.

As the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner, you will be a trusted partner in a fast-paced executive environment. You will help ensure the Commissioner's office operates smoothly, communications are handled thoughtfully, and critical initiatives continue moving forward.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level executive administrative support to the Commissioner.
• Manage the Commissioner's calendar, meeting schedules, travel arrangements, and related logistics.
• Serve as a professional liaison with the Governor's Office, legislative officials, state agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain key working relationships and support discussions involving the interpretation of policies, rules, and regulations.
• Provide input and administrative support in the development of new policies, practices, and agency initiatives.
• Coordinate communications and staffing processes; assist with contracts, grants, and special projects.
• Conduct and support staff analyses, including policy, organizational, facilities, and program analyses.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain confidential records, correspondence, reports, and other materials of moderate to complex difficulty.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Commissioner and Department priorities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring sound judgment, excellent communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities with professionalism and discretion. This role calls for someone who is proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working with senior leaders and external partners on matters of importance to Tennessee agriculture and forestry.

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of full-time professional staff administrative experience or related work.