TDA - ACP - Crop and Plant Industry Program Specia

About the role

The Crop and Plant Industry Program Specialist will perform complex analytical and technical assistance work for the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Division with a focus on the Crop and Plant Industry Programs. You will focus on plant industry regulations and quarantine program work. You will assist staff in coordinating the planning, developing and implementation of assigned programs. You will provide guidance to program staff, as well as provide technical assistance to governmental agencies, community organizations, and/or the general public to protect consumers and the plant industry by regulating agricultural products through nursery/floral licensing, phytosanitary inspection of plant products, and quarantine enforcement and pest monitoring. You will work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with program management and staff in evaluating, revising, developing and implementing daily program activities, guidelines, policies and procedures for assigned programs. Monitor and review compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes and rules to ensure alignment with agency mission.
• Distribute appropriate forms and information to appropriate parties, including applicants, licensees, industry and other government officials, as needed.
• Monitor required program performance reports and recommend appropriate changes to program management, as needed.
• Review and evaluate the computer-based systems used for assigned programs to identify potential problems and recommend improvements.
• Collaborate with program staff in the preparation, tracking, validation, and completion of purchases, travel vouchers, cooperative agreements, compliance agreements, grants and contracts.
• Participate in the training of inspectors and other agency staff. Develop and revise training materials; maintain/update training manuals for the assigned programs; and participate in or conduct training sessions.
• Collect, organize, analyze and prepare materials in response to requests for program information and reports.
• Set up, maintain and monitor program records and enter related data into a database and or spreadsheet.
• Assist in developing policy and procedure manuals.
• Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Biology or related field (One year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).
• Two (2) years work experience providing technical assistance in agriculture, horticulture, botany, entomology, plant pathology, natural science or other agriculture-related field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the assigned program areas; training techniques; and of program management processes and techniques.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance; providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers and in operating a personal computer with applicable software.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; to provide guidance to others; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

Working Conditions

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, occasionally overnight (up to 10%).

Benefits

• Retirement Plan
• Paid Group Health and Life Insurance for employees
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Longevity Pay
• Dental
• Vision
• Dependent Optional Life Insurance
• Voluntary AD&D Insurance
• Dependent Health and Life Insurance
• Health and Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Schedule

The agency's core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m. The agency does not offer telework; all employees are required to be physically present for work.