STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agriculture Marketing and Inspection Representative 1

Hybrid

Recruitment #221115-4884AR-001

Introduction



The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture (DoAg) is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage and its contribution to the state's economy.
 
The DoAg is recruiting for an Agriculture Marketing & Inspection Representative 1 (AMIR 1) to support its livestock and small poultry surveillance programs, the agency’s dairy product safety and inspections programs. This role will be responsible for inspections of agricultural businesses, production and processing plants and retail facilities for compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.

This full-time, 40 hours per week opportunity will be based out of 450 Columbus Blvd in Hartford. The schedule is Monday through Friday, and the first shift hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A flex schedule is available for work-related schedule adjustments which may result in early morning facility inspections and the attendance of industry meetings on nights and weekends. In-state travel will be frequently required; a state car will be provided. Out of state travel may be required annually to attend trainings/meetings/seminars.

The AMIR 1 will be expected to assist in a variety of state and federally regulatory programs for the Bureau of Regulatory Services. Candidates must have the understanding and experience of general agricultural practices and regulating livestock, small poultry, milk and dairy product safety.
 
We offer competitive benefits including health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, and other supplemental benefits. Paid time off is also offered, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year, in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals. We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

We hope you take this opportunity to make an impaCT!

Selection Plan

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Applications to this recruitment will be used to meet collective bargaining requirements. Once any collective bargaining requirements have been met, all other applicants may be considered.

To apply:
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting. Please note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.
  • For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.

Connect With Us:
If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.

Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.
#INDLP

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Agriculture, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the development and inspection of agricultural businesses, production and processing plants and retail facilities for compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Inspecting dairy farms, processing plants, livestock and poultry farms for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations; collecting samples for testing, conducting tests and interprets results in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; checking permits, licenses and interstate health charts; observing sampling techniques; gathering and records information and writing reports; responding to related complaints from general public. Other related duties can be found here.

MARKETING PROGRAMS: Promotes and develops domestic and international markets for agricultural products; conducts seminars to assist in development of agricultural businesses and products; makes presentations to public and private groups regarding agricultural programs or issues; conducts surveys and market research; develops and disseminates technical information to promote development of agricultural businesses, land development and conservation within state; gathers information and prepares reports; may conduct or coordinate special marketing projects; performs related duties as required.

INSPECTION PROGRAMS: Inspects dairy farms, processing plants, livestock and poultry farms, feed and fertilizer plants, storage facilities, stores and seed packers for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations; collects samples for testing, conducts tests and interprets results in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; checks permits, licenses and interstate health charts; observes sampling techniques; gathers and records information and writes reports; responds to related complaints from general public; may inspect dairy products at schools; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of production, marketing, research development or processing of agricultural businesses or commodities; knowledge of wholesale and retail marketing practices; knowledge of business development and promotional techniques and strategies; knowledge of relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations; knowledge of state and federal legislative process; knowledge of plant and animal disease control methods and procedures; knowledge of inspection and investigation methods and techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the marketing, research, development, production or inspection of agricultural commodities or businesses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in agriculture or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in commercial animal and plant based agricultural businesses, including food production.  
  • Experience performing inspection and investigation techniques including: sampling, regulating, and improvement techniques. 
  • Experience researching and analyzing local, state and federal laws and regulations. 
  • Experience using plant and animal disease control methods and procedures.
  • Experience with writing investigation reports.
  • Experience utilizing computer software including Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based services.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift heavy objects; may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions; may be exposed to some risk of injury from animals.