For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3355816/fruit-vegetable-inspection-program-manager

Salary- $95,000.00 – $105,000.00 Annually

In summary, The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program Manager develops and implements policies for the Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program. They travel consistently throughout the state to ensure consistent technical implementation and logical managerial direction. The Program Manager must collaborate with federal agencies, such as USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), to enforce regulations and apply procedures through delegated authorities to field staff.

Regulatory Actions

  • Provides interpretation of federal agencies’ rules and regulations
  • Acts as primary contact for parallel-agency technical interaction and provides recommendation in issuing, suspending or revoking fruit and vegetable licenses.
  • Acts as contact for the development and implementation of work plan/protocols for international markets; hosts and works with international delegations; responds to technical details.

Supervision 

  • Oversees the training and professional development of all program employees.
  • Monitors the progress of fruit and vegetable certification processes to ensure that services are delivered on a timely and consistent basis.
  • Ensures that employees are performing to established standards and following agency policies. Provides appropriate guidance on recruitment, grievances, misconduct, discipline, or other labor relations issues.

Budget

  • Develops the program’s budget by projecting revenue, expenditures, and program growth to ensure the program will remain fiscally viable.
  • Prepares and submits allotments in accordance with agency fiscal instructions.
  • Leads long-term planning to ensure income will meet future needs. Monitor cash flow and adjust operations as necessary, in collaboration with the Regional Managers, to ensure that fees and spending are adjusted accordingly and the program will remain viable in the future.

Administration

  • Developing and implementing a strategic plan that includes performance measures for the program, and understands and implements Results Washington and Lean quality management principles.
  • With input from industry stakeholders, this role is responsible for initiating changes to state law and administrative regulations as necessary.
  • Testifies before the Legislature or represent the program to other government entities or industry groups.

Collaboration

  • Participates in organizations or groups that could influence or impact agency or division policies and practices, and is called upon to contribute to agency assessments and improvement committees.
  • Maintains the Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Board
  • Conducts educational and outreach activities to support the development of inspection technologies, the promotion of the fruit and vegetable industry, and responds to media inquiries in accordance with agency policies.
  • Collaborates with applicable federal agencies

 Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Must be familiar with and capable of operating computers to use word processing, spreadsheets, database and email programs.
  • A valid drivers license
  • Must be a skilled communicator with good leadership skills.
  • Knowledge of human resource management; facilitation and negotiation skills; financial management; and contracting. Must also have knowledge of program management, and the ability to work in a diverse and sensitive political environment.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

  • Master’s Degree in Agriculture or related field or equivalent experience, including course work or continuing professional education in public administration or management. Five years industry or supervisory experience in commodity inspection, or supervisory or management experience related to fruit and vegetable packing, handling or logistics.
  • Technical expertise in agriculture and general knowledge of commodity inspection and fruit and vegetable production, storage, packing, and transportation practices. Knowledge of international phytosanitary and quality standards, post-harvest technologies, food processing and fresh fruit and vegetable packing technologies and food distribution systems.
  • An understanding of federal and state inspection procedures and rules and regulations applicable to the grading standards and to those governing certification for freedom of pests and diseases;
  • USDA AMS license to inspect all fruits and vegetables grown and/or packed in the state of Washington, USDA APHIS license to inspect and issue phytosanitary certificates to foreign destinations and basic understanding of the audit verification program or licensed to be an auditor.