New York State Department of Civil Service - Director of Agricultural Development

Albany, NY

Description:

•  If you are a forward-thinking leader with expertise in promotion and business development of food, agricultural products, or commodities then this is the right opportunity for you! As Director of Agricultural Development, you would exercise overall direction and supervision of Agricultural Development programs, activities and division staff. You would have direct administrative responsibility for the delivery of marketing and promotion and business development and support services to the food and agricultural industry. This position develops policy, formulates the staffing and oversees programs for carrying out the objectives set forth in Agriculture and Markets Law.
• The position is conveniently located near the Albany International Airport at 10B Airline Drive, Albany NY 12235. This is a non-competitive, management/confidential position that offers a competitive starting salary of $109,956/year with excellent benefits. Benefits include but are not limited to NYS Pension Plan membership, Life Insurance coverage, and Voluntary Defined Contribution Plan.

Duties:

• Provides leadership and direct supervision to the managers of the Division's Business Development and Support Services programs and the Marketing and Promotion programs.
• Develops strategic internal and external policies to guide the implementation and administration of the Division's programs.
• Develops new program initiatives or restructures existing programs to improve the Division's delivery of services to the State's food and agricultural industry are effective, efficient and adapt to changing needs of various agricultural sectors.
• Assures that all Division program funds are properly accounted for and managed. Directs the design of systems and procedures to ensure the appropriate receipt and dispersal of program funds; including contract development and monitoring.
• Oversees the broad responsibilities for statewide policy analysis, development, and coordination of marketing, promotion and economic development projects, programs, and initiatives for New York agriculture and food products in the New York City market region.
• Represents the Department at conventions, trade shows, County Fairs, events, and meetings with industry, State and local government agencies and agricultural organizations in coordinating economic development initiatives.
• Develops and recommends legislative proposals for the Department and reviews legislative proposals advanced by other agencies which could improve or otherwise impact on any of the program areas for which the Division is responsible.
• Communicates the Department's positions on important issues related to the Division's areas of responsibility ensuring they are effectively communicated to interested parties including farmers, agribusiness's, advocacy organizations, other state, federal, and local agencies, state and local legislative bodies, the Department's executive management and the general public.
• Oversees administrative management of the Division, including office organization, personnel, employee discipline and counseling, and budgeting and operational needs. ## Additional Comments Preferred Leadership Behaviors:
• DRIVE INNOVATION: Generate new or unique solutions and embrace new ideas that help sustain our mission.
• COLLABORATE WITH SYSTEM, CUSTOMERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS: Develop and leverage relationships.
• ACT LIKE AN OWNER: Deliver results, creating value for our Brand, our System, our customers, and key stakeholders.
• INSPIRE OTHERS: Inspire people to deliver our mission, demonstrate passion for the purpose, and give people a reason to believe anything is possible.
• DEVELOP SELF AND OTHERS: Develop self and support others' development to achieve full potential.

Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in any field with 15 credit hours of coursework in at least one of the following: agriculture, agricultural economics, agriculture business, accounting, auditing, environmental studies, forestry, finance, marketing, communications, public administration, economics, business administration or political science; AND eight years of experience in programs involving the marketing of food, promotion of food, promotion of agricultural products and commodities or the business development activities for food and agricultural businesses. Four of the eight years of experience must have included supervision of staff and programs.
• Education Substitution: A master's degree in any field with at least 15 credit hours of coursework in at least one of the above areas may be substituted for two years of non-supervisory experience. ## Duties Description Department Summary: The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, through its various divisions and programs, promotes New York agriculture and its high-quality and diverse products, fosters agricultural environmental stewardship, and safeguards the State's food supply, land and livestock to ensure the viability and growth of New York's agriculture industries.
• Preferred Qualifications: 
• GROWTH MINDSET: Demonstrates curiosity. Welcomes failure as a learning opportunity.
• EXTERNALLY FOCUSED: Understands the upstream and downstream implications of his/her work. Tracks and shares external trends, best practices or ideas.
• PERFORMANCE DRIVEN AND ACCOUNTABLE: Has high performance standards.
• FAST/AGILE: Removes barriers to move faster. Thrives under pressure and fast pace.
• EMPOWERED: Brings solutions instead of problems. Challenges the status quo. Has the courage to take an unpopular stance.

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