STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agriculture Assistant Bureau Director

Recruitment #260506-0074MP-001

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Introduction
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-Time (40 Hours)
  • First Shift 
  • Monday-Friday
  • Hybrid position (telework and office/on-site)
  • Location: 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
THE ROLE
The Agriculture Assistant Bureau Director position is accountable for independently performing a full range of management tasks to oversee staff who develop, evaluate, and provide continuity of programs that positively impact Connecticut farmers and agribusiness viability. 
Duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Operational Leadership & Program Oversight: Support and collaborate with the Bureau Director on bureau operations; plan, implement, and monitor bureau programs to ensure alignment with statutory mandates, bureau mission, and agency strategy
  • Budget & Grants Administration: Manage staff to oversee the development and execution of annual grant program budgets; manage grant lifecycles (solicitation, evaluation, award, compliance, closeout); maintain audit-ready documentation
  • Performance Management & Reporting: Establish KPIs; monitor outcomes; prepare reports to leadership, CT General Assembly, stakeholders, and funding entities; maintain data quality
  • Staff Supervision & Talent Development: Currently, 15 staff reside within the Bureau. Within the Agricultural Development unit, supervise eight (8) staff; identify and assign priorities in cooperation with the Bureau Director; coach; conduct annual evaluations; support professional development, and programmatic succession planning
  • Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure adherence to state procurement rules, grant terms, and applicable statutes; mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risk
  • Continuous Improvement: Streamline processes and timelines; champion technology-enabled workflows; improve customer service and program accessibility
ABOUT US
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Development and Resource Conservation's mission is to promote production, consumption, and usage of CT Grown farm products and to preserve and improve CT farmland and farmland soils through programs and services which enable CT agribusinesses to thrive. The Bureau's vision is to cultivate and support a sustainable, equitable food system that increases market access for farmers and food sovereignty for the benefit of all. The Bureau of Agricultural Development & Resource Conservation supports Connecticut’s agricultural economy through grant administration, technical assistance, and farmland preservation. The Bureau oversees programs such as agricultural grants and cost-share initiatives, the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, and market-access programs such as the Local Food Procurement Program and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, among others. The Bureau’s annual budget can range from $30 - $100 million annually through a combination of state appropriations, federal grants, and interagency partnerships.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.  

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: 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 or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window). 
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Sharon McIntosh at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window). 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Agriculture this class is accountable for assisting in the direction of a Bureau or a major program(s) within the Office of the Commissioner.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assists in directing the staff and operations of a Bureau;
  • Assists in coordinating, planning and managing Bureau activities;
  • Assists in preparation of proposed legislation and regulations;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
  • Evaluates staff;
  • Assists in preparation of Bureau budget;
  • Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact on program activities;
  • Supervises registration and certification activities of a  Bureau;
  • Assists in preparation of proposed legislation and regulations;
  • Speaks before lay and professional groups regarding department policy;
  • Prepares correspondence and reports;
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • relevant federal and state programs;
    • technology and research pertaining to the Bureau;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communications skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

  • Eight (8) years of experience in one or any combination of the following:
    • enforcement of agriculture laws and regulations;
    • control of disease which affects the public or agriculture industry;
    • promotion of agricultural products;
    • administration of state and/or federal laws and regulations;
    • a combination of fiscal and/or administrative functions (e.g. budget management, grants administration, personnel).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead or supervisory/administrative capacity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training 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 years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience managing teams including strategic planning, identifying priorities, conducting performance evaluations, counseling or organization improvement initiatives
  • Experience developing or improving policies, procedures, or workflows using data-driven decision-making
  • Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including farmers, food hubs, municipalities, nonprofits, and government agencies
  • Experience administering grants through solicitation, scoring, award, compliance, and closeout with data-driven outcomes
  • Experience managing projects related to production agriculture, market access, or agribusiness development

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


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