Missouri Office of Administration

AGRICULTURE MANAGER

DEFINITION:

This is administrative and management work in the direction, planning, analysis and coordination of programs and services of the Department of Agriculture.

This classification is found in the broadbanded management service. An employee in this class is responsible for directing or assisting in the overall planning, direction and coordination of regulatory, promotional or assistive services and programs affecting agricultural or agri-business industries in the state. Positions in this class could be located in a variety of managerial levels. Duties may be in areas such as animal health, plant industries, weights and measures, grain inspection and warehousing, market development or promotion. Positions have program management and decision-making authority, and usually have policy, planning, budget and/or supervisory responsibilities. Direction is received from a designated administrative superior who reviews work through conferences, reports, and evaluation of operational results; however, the employee is expected to exercise considerable initiative and judgment in planning and carrying out assignments.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive. Band assignment for each position will be determined by assigned level of duties and responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Directs or assists in the overall planning, development and administration of the assigned regulatory, promotional or assistive service or program; assists in the direction of the development and implementation of departmental planning issues.

Directs or assists in licensure and/or compliance activities in such areas as grain transactions, official weights and measures, pesticides, animal feeds, crop seeds, petroleum products, livestock and animal care.

Directs or assists in the promotion of Missouri agricultural products and services in both domestic and international markets

Directs or assists in the provision of assistive services to agricultural producers, processors, marketers, and consumers

Directs or assists administrative personnel in general management aspects of policy development and program planning and coordination as related to assigned responsibilities; assists in the evaluation of the effect of policy and/or organizational changes and new programs.

Reviews and/or revises programs in area of responsibility to ensure compliance of operations with laws, regulations, policies, plans and procedures.

Selects, trains, directs and evaluates staff in area of assigned responsibility.

Participates in the development, implementation or interpretation of new or revised program, departmental or legislative initiatives.

Participates in conferences, training sessions and meetings relating to areas of assigned responsibility.

Participates in the development of budget requests and the monitoring of expenditures according to budget allocations/appropriations and recommends and/or initiates cost saving measures.

Conducts investigations, institutes special studies, and prepares and/or reviews reports and related information to evaluate existing organizations, policies, procedures, and practices as related to the assigned program.

Represents and/or serves as a liaison for the assigned area of responsibility; maintains contact, cooperates with, and addresses federal, state, local, and community organizations and other interested groups pertaining to the assigned programs.

Negotiates or administers contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with federal, state, local, and community organizations.

Performs other related work as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the objectives, principles, practices, terminology and functions affecting the assigned agricultural regulatory, promotional or assistive service or program.

Considerable knowledge of the state and federal statutes, regulations and policies affecting the agricultural industry.

Considerable knowledge of governmental budgeting, fiscal management, grants and contract management.

Considerable knowledge of a designated specialty area.

Considerable knowledge of current agricultural-related developments, trends, issues and theories.

Considerable knowledge of managerial techniques and administrative practices.

Ability to review, analyze interpret and/or prepare federal and state laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures as related to the assigned program.

Ability to testify as an expert witness.

Ability to develop, implement and administer the assigned program or service.

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with departmental officials, legislators, staff associates, the general public and others.

Ability to analyze and evaluate policies and operations and formulate recommendations.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to provide leadership and supervision to professional, technical and related program staff.

Ability to manage change, provide program management and achieve results.

Ability to develop short and long-range plans that meet established objectives and contribute to the overall goals and mission of the agency.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following education and experience qualifications are the minimum requirements used to admit or reject applicants for placement on merit system registers or may also be used to screen applicants for employment in non-merit Uniform Classification and Pay agencies. The specific qualifications for a position allocated to this class may vary due to the spectrum of jobs included in this broad classification band. Depending on the duties of the specific job assignment, a position may require specialized and/or additional education, experience and/or licensure/certification not included in the stated requirements. When applicable, equivalent substitutions will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education. Certification for vacancies in this class is determined on a position-by-position basis.)

Four years of professional experience in grain inspection, weights and measures, marketing, international business, entomology, horticulture, animal nutrition, agronomy, plant pathology, forestry, or closely related areas; and graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in agriculture, animal science, business or public administration, marketing, physical or natural science, communications, economics, international business, criminal justice or closely related areas. (Graduate work in the specified areas may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years of the stated experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the stated education.)

(Eff. 01/01/2000)