Job Description

Job Summary

Manages, coordinates, and assesses the work of assigned staff to facilitate the achievement of the goals and objectives of the assigned area within the department; typically responsible for larger and more complex service areas or programs; manages operations, activities, services, and programs within the assigned area of the department; performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

• Manages, coordinates, and assesses the work of assigned staff to facilitate the achievement of the goals and objectives of the assigned area within the department;
• Manages operations, activities, services, and programs within the assigned area of the department;
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff;
• Participates in establishing and implementing guidelines for operating procedures;
• Assists in implementing and enforcing policies and procedures governing the administration of various county administered programs, services, and programs;
• May:

• act as a liaison between Federal, State, and local governmental agencies whose policies, laws, regulations, and directives impact upon departmental and County activities, operations, projects, and programs;
• analyze technical performance reports, correspondence, and contracts;
• review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding areas of responsibility;
• develop comprehensive budgets based upon approved programs, resource parameters, technological enhancements, and County policies and procedures;
• ensure that the assigned departmental area is operating in compliance with Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies;

7. Increases professional knowledge through attending workshops and conferences,
participating in professional associations and activities, and reading professional and
local publications;
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Departmental Functions:

• Administers comprehensive agricultural development to facilitate the growth in the agriculture, seafood and forestry sectors by recruiting new agribusinesses to the County, by identifying new income opportunities from the production and processing of agricultural products, and by assisting the County\'s existing agribusinesses to expand and/or retain jobs and investment and farm marketing programs for the county.
• Serves as staff liaison to the St. Mary\'s County Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry Board and maintains a professional relationship with UMD Cooperative Extension, St. Mary\'s and Maryland Farm Bureau, Farm Credit, Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development, St. Mary\'s Soil Conservation District, the Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, and other agricultural leaders
• Develops policies and recommendations which will enhance and promote agriculture in the county. Produces promotional material to emphasize the importance of agriculture in St. Mary\'s County and the need for local citizens and local businesses to promote the use of St. Mary\'s County farm-related products. Promotes expansion of direct marketing of local products, expansion of local direct marketing and processing facilities, and local expansion of county agriculture production.
• Conducts research into present and alternative agricultural enterprises, present and potential markets, and potential for agriculture industry and business development. Maintains familiarity with agriculture publications including production and marketing publications. Maintains liaison with federal, state and local agencies to assist with grants, programs, and training and informational meetings.
• Promotes state and federal land preservation programs and oversees the distribution of county farmland preservation funds.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to gain advanced knowledge of St. Mary\'s County Government policies and procedures;

2. Ability to act as a representative of St. Mary\'s County Government to the public;

3. Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the assigned departmental area and administrative management, and the ability to interpret same to assigned staff and the public;

4. Knowledge of governmental fiscal policies, procedures, and legal mandates including the budget process;

5. Extensive knowledge on modern research and investigative techniques and procedures; 6. Extensive knowledge of the laws, statutes, and ordinances of the State of Maryland and St. Mary\'s County;

7. Ability to keep all the relevant parties informed of all major issues and programs and to recommend changes as appropriate;

8. Ability to supervise, plan, and coordinate the work of diverse staff in order to accomplish goals and objectives;

9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, associates, staff, representatives from other agencies, and the general public;

Education and Experience

• Bachelor\'s Degree;
• Five years or more of related professional experience;
• Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience.
• Considerable knowledge and experience in economic development and marketing principles and practices, business attraction and expansion procedures, project management techniques, and coordinating department economic development activities with the programs and activities of other county and state agencies.
• Experience in a similar position to include agriculture, economic development, program and project management, grant management, project team management, and coaching and evaluating team staff.
• Knowledge of farmland preservation and transition principles and practices.
• Five years or more of related professional experience, or additional education in a specialized area.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work requires light physical effort in the handling of light materials or boxes and tools or equipment in non-strenuous work positions up to 30 pounds and/or continual standing or walking of 60%/+ of the time.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls.

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