Job Description

Description

This posting will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled the week of June 12, 2023.

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington\'s Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our .

The Natural Resources Assessment Section (NRAS) works at the interface between agricultural production and environmental quality. Research topics include agricultural land use practices, pesticide usage, agricultural chemicals in surface water and groundwater, soil health, and climate change. Collectively, NRAS programs serve to help protect public health and the environment while supporting agricultural viability throughout Washington\'s diverse cropping systems.

The Soil Health Economic Development Coordinator will add to to WaSHI programming by pursuing economic development for soil health practitioners. This role shall implement, promote, and coordinate all aspects of a national grower recognition program called Saving Tomorrow\'s Agriculture Resources (STAR) in Washington. STAR rewards growers for implementing conservation practices, and provides economic opportunities to lower the barriers to entry for sustainable farming. The Soil Health Economic Development Coordinator will coordinate the STAR science committee, identify and enroll interested growers, as well as engage the Washington food, fuel, and fiber sectors through a grower Pay-for-Performance (PfP) program, which provides economic incentives to growers who increase their STAR rating.
Position and Salary Information

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Soil Health Economic Development Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 3) position within the Natural Resources Assessment Section in the Director\'s Office. This position has been approved for a flexible/hybrid schedule and will need to report to a WSDA regional office located in Olympia or Yakima, Washington. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate\'s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $ 54,492.00 - $ 71,520.00 annually.

In addition to the salary range listed above, general wage increases will be applied for all employees on the following dates:

• 4% on July 1, 2023
• 3% on July 1, 2024

In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend. If a position is designated as requiring dual language skills, incumbents will also receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

Employees who voluntarily provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 booster vaccination, which must include any recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at the time proof is provided to the employer, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $1,000 to be paid no earlier than July 25, 2023.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave;

for more information. * 12 paid

• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at .

Duties

Include, but not limited to:

• Assists Senior Soil Scientists and STAR expansion consultants to establish and meet STAR timelines and milestones.
• Creates and convenes STAR Science and Steering Committees from agricultural and university professionals.
• Collects, scores, and archives all submitted STAR evaluations; Promotes STAR and identifies interested producers.
• Works with consultants and committees to develops and finalize crop-specific scoresheets.
• Promotes the STAR pay-for-performance programs and identifies industry partners.
• Optimizes all aspects of the program by developing data tracking systems and efficient workflows.
• Engages in outreach and education through meeting attendance and webinars.
• Develops and presents written and oral communications for audiences with a broad range of technical expertise to share knowledge and increase program visibility.
• Along with Senior Soil Scientist, plan for strategic growth and program optimization.
• Works with industry and university partners to identify barriers to adoption of conservation practices or soil health innovation.
• Maintains awareness and respond proactively to opportunities for growers within the Farm Bill, carbon markets, pilot programs via crop insurers, incentive or grant opportunities, etc.
• Assists Agricultural Economist in conducting economic analysis and/or ecosystem service valuation of conservation interventions throughout the state, as needed or on a project-specific basis.
• Works within the WaSHI network to contribute economic analysis of existing projects, including State of the Soils Assessment, Long-term Agroecological Research and Extension sites, and contributions to the Soil Health Roadmap.
• Identifies opportunities for economic contributions to existing projects and conduct research via surveys, focus groups, or other means as available.
• Works with collaborators to identify and address gaps in understanding related to the economics of soil health and farm productions.

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• A Bachelor\'s degree in agricultural economics, finance, business administration, or closely allied field AND Four (4) years of professional research work experience in a specific specialty field.

OR

• A Master\'s degree will substitute for two (2) years experience provided the field of major study was in the specific specialty.

OR

• A PhD degree will substitute for all required experience provided the field of major study was in the specific specialty.

AND

• Must be able to obtain a valid driver\'s license as travel will be required for this position.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities would make your application more competitive:

• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining cooperative and beneficial relationships with those in government, academia, nongovernmental agencies, agriculture, and business and community organizations.
• Experience managing a business, or growth-minded program within a business, nonprofit, or agency.
• Awareness of current economic opportunities for producers including those provided by carbon markets, ecosystem service valuation markets, crop insurance programs, and incentive and grant opportunities.
• Knowledge of soil carbon sequestration and ecosystem services resulting from agricultural practices.
• Demonstrated experience with economic analysis methods relevant to grower operations at multiple scales, including partial and enterprise budgets for case studies or statewide syntheses.
• Programming and statistical analysis skills in Python, R, ArcGIS, or equivalent.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals, extension publications, or agency reports.
• Experience working with local government, state, and/or federal agencies on agricultural economic development.

Supplemental Information

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

\xc2\xb7 Current resume detailing experience and education

\xc2\xb7 A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

\xc2\xb7 Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email .

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state\'s on-line recruitment system.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency\'s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at .

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant\'s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran\'s Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran\'s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran\'s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible,

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

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