Chief, Division of Agriculture & Resource Marketing (DEM)

Department Department of Environmental Management

Division

Environmental Services

Salary

$114,174.00 - $131,189.00

Job Profile

JC-02516500-99 - Chief, Division of Agriculture & Resource Marketing (DEM) (Non-Union Executive Branch)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

The Chief of Agriculture and & Resource Marketing serves as the leader of the Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment, providing high level management and strategic direction for this multi-faceted division. This role is responsible for advancing programs and policies that support the sustainable growth and resilience of Rhode Island's farmers, fishers, and foresters while protecting the state's natural resources. The position requires exceptional communication skills, strategic leadership, and a collaborative approach to building partnerships with industry stakeholders, state and federal agencies, municipalities, and community organizations to strengthen Rhode Island's agricultural, forestry, and seafood sectors.

Job Requisition Number

JR103490 Chief, Division of Agriculture & Resource Marketing (DEM) (Open)

Pay Grade

C00140 A

Classification

Chief, Division of Agriculture & Resource Marketing (DEM)

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To plan, organize and direct the activities of resource marketing staff enforcing federal and/or state laws and grade standards established for agricultural products; to provide for the orderly flow of resource marketing information to the general public; to advise agricultural organizations and consumers’ cooperative in direct marketing programs; to direct the activities of the Animal Disease Control Unit which has statewide responsibilities for the control and eradication of livestock diseases; to develop, implement and lead a comprehensive program that preserves and enhances the viability of agriculture in Rhode Island; to fulfill various agricultural, public health and environmental responsibilities and mandates, including but not limited to food safety and security, farmland protection, zoonotic disease management, marketing and local food promotion, animal welfare, mosquito abatement, pesticide regulation, pest management, and water quality. To develop necessary partnerships, regulations, legislation, grant programs, agreements and relationships within and outside of state government to achieve divisional goals; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the broad direction of the Director, Department of Environmental Management, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in carrying out the objectives of the program; work is reviewed and evaluated through periodic reports and conferences.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates the work of a staff engaged in the program.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• To plan, organize and direct the activities of resource marketing staff enforcing federal and/or state laws and grade standards established for agricultural products.
• To provide for the orderly flow of resource marketing information to the public.
• To advise agricultural organizations and consumers’ cooperatives in direct marketing programs.
• To direct the activities of the Animal Disease Control Unit, which has statewide responsibilities for the control and eradication of livestock diseases.
• To develop, implement and lead a comprehensive program that preserves and enhances the viability of agriculture in Rhode Island.
• To fulfill various agricultural, public health and environmental responsibilities and mandates, including but not limited to food safety and security, farmland protection, zoonotic disease management, marketing and local food promotion, animal welfare, mosquito abatement, pesticide regulation, pest management, and water quality.
• To develop necessary partnerships, regulations, legislation, grant programs, agreements and relationships within and outside of state government to achieve divisional goals; and to do related work as required.
• To help foster collaboration within and outside of government to preserve protect and improve the state’s agricultural resources.
• To plan and write policy, draft legislation, compose regulations and improve the agricultural program and representation.
• To oversee and coordinate local food system development and promotion.
• To be responsible for farmland protection, access and designation programs.
• To regulate food safety, certification and education.
• To draft and implement animal health regulations and manage zoonotic disease, including with an emergency response capacity.
• To plan, initiate and sustain an emergency response capability for a variety of agricultural/biological crisis management and consequence management challenges, such as pet sheltering and other contingencies.
• To coordinate mosquito abatement, salt marsh management and pesticide regulation.
• To establish and maintain an invasive/injurious insect and disease survey and response capability.
• To write, administer and develop grants, such as Local Agriculture and Seafood Acts (LASA), and grants related to farm viability and farm energy usage and conservation.
• To be responsible for Division of Agriculture Marketing and Promotion Initiatives such as Farmers’ Markets, Agriculture Day and Rhody Fresh.
• To administer agricultural permitting and certification programs which involve wetlands, composting, deer damage, organic certification and promoting good agricultural practices.
• To administer various licensing, registration and inspection programs for animal feeds, fertilizers, pet foods, pesticides, pet shops, municipal shelters and beehives among others.
• To regulate interstate movement of regulated plants and animals.
• To oversee seafood marketing, DEM-owned farm resources cooperatives and asset management locations, activities and associated development.
• To administer, supervise and enforce federal/state laws related to grading, labeling, weight and marketing of apples, fruit and vegetables, potatoes, eggs and other agricultural products, as well as commercial feeds, fertilizers, soil amendments, agricultural, vegetable and lawn seeds.
• To be involved in multimedia complaint investigation and response related to agriculture.
• To participate and collaborate with professional agricultural organizations and interests to sustain and improve state agricultural interests.
• To supervise a staff engaged in preparing daily wholesale, weekly retail and seasonal market reports of agricultural products, and to issue wholesale market conditions and egg prices on a scheduled basis, including to the media.
• To be responsible for developing and supervising federal and state programs under cooperative agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture concerning retail supplies of eggs, poultry, egg surveillance, fruit and vegetables, agricultural, lawn and vegetable seeds, the marketing new services and medicated animal feeds.
• To have samples of all agricultural products collected for laboratory analyses.
• To annually publish circulars of registered companies and laboratory findings of their guarantees.
• To plan, direct and supervise the activities of the animal disease control staff with statewide responsibilities for the control and eradication of livestock diseases.
• To be responsible for the review of existing Rhode Island State Animal Health Laws and to update as required.
• To work in cooperation with neighboring states on federal/state programs and laws involving the testing and interstate movement of animals.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the state and federal laws pertaining to agricultural marketing; a thorough knowledge of agricultural programs; a thorough knowledge of marketing grades and standards for farm products and their application, certification and enforcement; a thorough knowledge of resource marketing techniques which are used to convey information to the public; a thorough knowledge of DEM-Owned Farm Resources Cooperatives and asset management locations, activities and associated development; a thorough knowledge of agricultural permitting and certification programs; a thorough knowledge of federal and state animal disease control laws and regulations; a thorough knowledge of food safety, certification and education programs; a thorough knowledge of crisis management and consequence management techniques and procedures related to animal and insect disease outbreaks; a thorough knowledge of federal laws which regulate the interstate movement of plants and animals; a working knowledge of federal and state grants and processes related to agriculture; the ability to administer and enforce federal and state agriculture standards; the ability to administer and enforce various licensing, registration and inspection programs; the ability to coordinate seafood marketing statewide; the ability to oversee investigations and coordinate responses; the ability to make speeches and public appearances; the ability to prepare press and other media releases; the ability to plan, organize and supervise the activities of subordinates engaged in agricultural regulation enforcement work; the ability to plan and administer a statewide program to preserve, protect and improve the state’s agricultural resources; the ability to work in cooperation with neighboring states on federal/state programs and laws involving the testing and interstate movement of plants and animals; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Such as may have been gained through: graduation from a college of recognized standing with Master of Science Degree with a specialization in agricultural resources and technology, including or supplemented by completion of courses in agricultural marketing principles or a Bachelor's Degree of Science supplemented by graduate level courses in the aforementioned areas of specialization.

Experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment in a responsible supervisory and administrative position in the field of agricultural and resource promotion.

Supplemental Information

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.