AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SUPERVISOR 81132

4/1/91 A

This is the second 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 to enforce laws and regulations. The work involves planning, developing, and implementing activities and services for a regulatory, inspection, compliance, and/or investigative program. This class is distinguished from the Agricultural Program Coordinator by its administration of a large program with subordinate regional organizational units. It is distinguished from the Agricultural Program Manager by the latter's responsibility for administration and management of a large, complex operation (equivalent to a bureau) comprised of several programs or sections, which include subordinate supervisors.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty in administering and managing a statewide program to enforce laws and regulations. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures; designing program activities and services, and evaluating their effectiveness; 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 includes supervising and providing administrative and technical guidance to supervisors and staff; determining work priorities, establishing territorial and work assignments. Work involves reviewing and resolving informal complaints as well as reviewing requests for administrative hearings; investigating problem violation cases and complicated or controversial complaints; coordinating/directing work with Commonwealth Attorneys and the Attorney Generals' Office in determining violations, securing warrants, and preparing cases for litigation. This class serves as the program expert and is called on to: represent the agency in related matters which include meeting with government 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: Provides general supervision to Agricultural Inspection Supervisors, Agricultural Inspectors, Senior, and Agricultural Inspectors, as well as other support staff located throughout the state.

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/or 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, university representatives 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; methods of program management and supervision.

Skills: None identified.

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; to develop and maintain budgets; and to supervise staff.

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 program area which has included some management and supervision responsibilities.

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 Supervisor class.