Senior Level Agronomist Jobs

West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Position Description

Job Title: Assistant Director, Plant Industries Division

Division: Plant Industries

Headquarters: Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV

Reports To: Director, Plant Industries Division

Supervisor

Responsibility: Yes

FLSA Status: Exempt

Nature of Work:
The Assistant Director, Plant Industries is responsible for supervising the programs of the Forest Health Protection (FHP) and/or Agricultural Pest Survey Units (APS). These programs include Forest Health Protection, the Gypsy Moth Program, the Pest Identification Laboratory, and the Plant Pest Regulatory Program. Where applicable, the Assistant Director, Plant Industries coordinates state programs with comparable federal programs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA-FS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Protection & Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ).

Examples of Work:

• Provide administrative and management direction and support to the staff and programs on a continuous basis.
• Write and revise legislation and regulations pertaining to Unit programs.
• Review time and attendance reports, leave slips, expense accounts, weekly activity reports, and other staff paperwork.
• Coordinate, proofread, and edit the reports for the Division.
• Coordinate the Division’s public relations activities, including news releases, articles for The Market Bulletin, public meetings, etc.
• Provide staff member development by giving consideration to attendance at professional and program development meetings.
• Research professional journals, regulations, and other sources for information important to improvement of the Division.
• Assist in the development of the Division’s budget for services, supplies, and equipment.
• Interpret statutes, regulations, and policies to staff, managers, and the public.
• Attends Department and Division staff meetings.
• Carry out directives of the Commissioner and Division Director.
• Consult with the Commissioner and Division Director about on-going or proposed activities of the Division.
• Represents the Department at meetings of the USDA-FS/CFHP State Cooperators, National Gypsy Moth Review, USDA Interagency Gypsy Moth and Other Invasive Species Research Forum, Gypsy Moth Suppression and Eradication Projects Review, the West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association, West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, the Eastern and National Plant Boards, and other program-related meetings, as necessary.
• Maintains contact with USDA-FS, USDA-APHIS-PPQ and other federal agencies, as well as state and local government agencies for the purpose of intergovernmental cooperation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Standing, sitting, driving, walking, operating a computer, outside work, exposure to inclement weather, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization and programs of the Unit, Division, and Department.
• Knowledge of state and federal plant protection laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of management, including organization, planning, staffing, training, budgeting, and reporting.
• Knowledge of state government organization, programs, and functions.
• Knowledge of state legislative processes.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local government relationships as they relate to the program, mission, and operations of the Unit.
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the program and administrative activities of the Unit.
• Ability to supervise others.
• Ability to evaluate operational situations, analyze data and facts in preparation for administrative and policy decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, employees, and the public.
• Ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, or a related field.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of experience in plant regulatory, plant pest survey, and/or forest health.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner of Agriculture and designees.

West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.