AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM MANAGER 81133

4/1/91 A

This is the third class in the Agricultural Program Management series utilized by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This class is responsible for administering a bureau, or program of comparable size and complexity, which enforces 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 Supervisor by its responsibility for administration and management of a large, complex operation with multiple levels of supervisors (including Agricultural Program Supervisors), and has direct accountability to a Division Director, or Assistant Director.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty in administering and managing a bureau, or program of comparable size and complexity, to enforce laws and regulations. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures; reviewing the design of program activities and services, evaluating effectiveness, and determining long-term and short-term goals; developing and managing budgets which may include grants and federal funds; interpreting laws and regulations and making determinations regarding necessary actions to be taken affecting the management of programs. Has responsibility for review and/or appeal of 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 direction to supervisors and staff; determining program priorities; reviewing and resolving unusual complaints as reviewing requests for administrative hearings. This class serves as the official representative of the bureau or program 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. This class interprets laws and regulations; prepares position papers; drafts proposed legislation; researches and presents findings, and advises higher levels of management regarding trends and developments.

Supervision Given: Provides general supervision to Agricultural Program Supervisors, 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 Agriculture and Consumer Services Division Director or other administrator.

Scope: Responsibility exists for a bureau, or comparable 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, evaluate, and manage complex agricultural programs; to interpret laws and regulations; to communicate orally and in writing; to supervise a staff comprised of subordinate levels of supervisors and support staff; make procedural and policy decisions; to develop and maintain budgets.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

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

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience in related program area which has included administrative, budget, and supervisory 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 and Consumer Services Bureau Chief class.