This is a managerial class that is responsible for the management of an agricultural commodity program. Positions in this class plan, implement, and direct a statewide program of commodity administration, and supervise a staff of agricultural representatives, supervisors and other agriculture-oriented positions. This class is distinguished from the Agriculture and Consumer Services Supervisor by full supervisory responsibility for an entire commodity program.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty which involves planning, implementing, and directing a program of agricultural commodities management and distribution. The work typically involves agricultural marketing, establishment and maintenance of quality assurance, grading, certification, and distribution programs, the formulation and management of the budget, substantial personnel actions such as hiring, firing, discipline, performance evaluation and training, and the initiation and maintenance of contracts with agribusiness and government leaders.

Supervision Given: Provides direct supervision to employees who are responsible for grading, inspecting and official certification of the quality of Virginia’s agricultural products, and for accepting, storing and distributing donated foods to qualified recipient agencies. Directs the work, selects, rewards and disciplines staff.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from the Director of Commodity services.

Scope: Performs work which affects the division, the agency, agribusiness, Virginia's economy and the consumer.

Impact of Actions: Work has a serious impact on the functioning of farmers, agribusiness, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and other state and federal wenches. Work facilitates economic growth for farmers and agribusiness, as well as goodwill toward the agency. Failure to properly perform duties can lead to extensive losses in time, money, and goodwill for the farmers, agribusiness, the Department and Virginia’s economy.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contact with state and federal agency professionals and agribusiness leaders for the purpose of collecting and disseminating information and analyzing agricultural industry trends.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of the agricultural economic program; marketing techniques; commodities processing and production operations; and state and federal regulations pertaining to agricultural products.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to plan, design, develop, and implement a comprehensive program of agricultural commodities administration; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and analyze and interpret data.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from a college or university with a major in agriculture, marketing, economics, business management or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Sufficient managerial experience in the agricultural industry to carry out agricultural commodities programs.

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 created in December 1987 as a result of a reorganization of the Marketing division.

Last updated: 1/1/88