AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR 81131

4/1/91 A

This is the first class in the Agricultural Program Management series utilized by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This class is responsible for administering a statewide program of a small and specialized nature. The work involves planning, developing, and implementing activities and services for a regulatory, inspection, compliance, and/or investigative program that enforces laws and regulations. This class is distinguished from the Agricultural Program Supervisor by the limited nature of the program, lack of subordinate regional organizational units, and limited supervisory responsibilities.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty in administering and managing a statewide program. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures; developing and managing budgets which may include grants and federal funds; interpreting laws and regulations and making determinations regarding necessary actions to be taken which may include inspection, enforcement, investigative work conducted by subordinate staff; licensure determinations for industries; and developing and maintaining work relationships with other governmental agencies, agribusinesses, special interest groups, and consumers to fulfill program goals. Work may include providing technical guidance and work direction to other staff and reviewing prepared work. In cases where positions administer federal grants or programs, there is responsibility for all related recordkeeping, filing of reports, budget management, and grant application preparations. In cases where positions administer compliance related programs, work will include coordinating investigations, litigation preparation for Commonwealth Attorneys or the Attorney General's Office, and presenting findings in court. This class serves as the program expert and is called on to: represent the agency in related matters which include meeting with government agencies, universities, industry and citizen groups to exchange information, resolve problems, and to develop procedures and services; make presentations at public hearings, legislative hearings, special interest groups, agribusiness organizations; professional meetings; interpret laws and regulations; prepare position papers; draft proposed legislation; research and present findings, and to advise higher levels of management regarding trends and developments.

Supervision Given: May provide general supervision to a limited number of staff such as inspectors, or related staff. In some cases, staff is assigned from other work units to conduct specific inspection or regulatory work.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from an Agricultural Program Manager or other administrator.

Scope: Responsibility exists for a statewide program which affects products, industries, producers, buyers, and consumers.

Impact of Actions: Work has a moderate impact on the agency and products, industries, producers and buyers, and consumers throughout the state. Actions taken can result in significant costs in time, money, services, public goodwill, consumer protection and health, and affect the profitability of a segment of the state's agribusiness.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external and internal contact with producers, retailers, agribusinesses, state, federal, and local governmental officials, and the general public.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to the program area; types and needs of the producers, retailers, agribusinesses, and consumers related to the program area; and the technical aspects of the product; methods and techniques of complaint and/or legal investigation.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and manage an agricultural program; to interpret laws and regulations; to communicate orally and in writing; to give work direction and/or supervision to others; to make procedural and policy decisions; and to develop and maintain budgets.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school with course work in agriculture, biology, chemistry, environmental science, food science, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience in the program area.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was established on March 1, 1990, as a result of an agency-wide study and replaces positions in the Agriculture Regulatory Inspection Regional Supervisor class.