AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES DIVISION DIRECTOR 81236

06/01/92 A

This is the highest class in the Agriculture and Consumer Services Division Director series. Positions in this class serve as the Division Director of a major operating division, with a variety and diversity of statewide programs and services, in the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This class is distinguished from the Agriculture and Consumer Services Assistant Division Director by its responsibility for direction of an entire division.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty in the administration and management of a major statewide operating division responsible for the regulation of agricultural products, services, and businesses; environmental protection; or interpreting consumer laws, promoting consumer awareness and education, investigating and mediating consumer complaints to appropriate State agencies, and representing consumers of Virginia before the General Assembly. Duties include administering and managing the division budgets, personnel, programs, and services; analyzing fiscal, manpower, and programmatic data to determine short term and long term goals and objectives; allocating resources among programs and units; directing and approving the development of policies and procedures; evaluating programs and services and proposals from managers to determine appropriate changes needed; representing the agency to the public, special interest groups, governmental and professional organizations concerning major operational and policy issues; interpreting and/or directing the research of federal and state laws, regulations, and legislative proposals to develop official agency position or interpretations; presenting reports, proposals and/or analyses to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner regarding major programmatic matters related to the division. May serve as administrative hearings officer.

Supervision Given: Provides administrative direction to the Agriculture and Consumer Services Assistant Division Director, Program Managers, or other Program Supervisors in the administration of programs and services.

Supervision Received: Receives broad administrative direction from the Agriculture and Consumer Services Deputy Commissioner.

Scope: Directs the accomplishment of a major part of the agency's total mission affecting services to agribusiness and consumers, and involves working with the Legislative and Executive branches of State government.

Impact of Actions: Decisions and actions have a serious impact on the programs and services of the division; the businesses, industry, and products regulated; and/or the health and safety, and economic impact of consumers. Effective job performance ensures attainment of the agency's goals and objectives, proper utilization of resources such as time, money, and manpower, and directly impacts the agency's relations with the public and related businesses, organizations, and special interest groups.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with state, local, and federal officials, the public, press, related businesses, organizations, and special interest groups on a national, state, and local basis regarding major policy and operational matters as well as major issues related to public health and safety, and/or consumer protection. Frequent internal contact with State legislators and board members to represent the agency and the Commissioner.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing the programs and services of the division; of industries, businesses, and organizations interests and needs regarding services and programs provided. Considerable knowledge of budget and personnel management; program design and evaluation.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to design, plan, administer, and evaluate large, complex programs and services; to analyze a wide variety of complex data to make decisions and provide direction to managers and supervisors regarding financial, manpower and long- and short-term programmatic plans; represent the agency to the public as well as with business, governmental, and professional organizations; communicate orally and in writing to present reports, proposals, analyses, and information; forecast trends and project programmatic impacts; and to direct and evaluate the work of professional and managerial staff.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Considerable course work in the area of management and/or program areas related to the division's work.

Level and Type of Experience: Extensive experience in the supervision and management of regulatory or consumer protection programs, which includes the supervision of professional and managerial staff, and administration of budgets and personnel.

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

This class specification was revised, effective June 1992.