Chief of Planning

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is currently seeking to hire a Chief of Planning. This position will serve as Executive Director of the Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation. This includes managing Delaware’s farmland preservation program, Young Farmer Loan Program, and the Delaware Agricultural Finance Program. Effective stewardship of existing agricultural easements is an essential part of the Foundation’s work, which owns over 1,200 easements on 150,000 acres of farmland. In addition, this position provides strategic planning and policy support for the Department of Agriculture by working with key staff, stakeholders, and policymakers to plan for the future of Delaware agriculture.

Selective Requirements must be met in addition to the job requirements.  Applicants who do not possess the selective requirement will not be qualified.

Three years of experience managing an agricultural planning or land use program.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Analyze and assess data, problems, and issues and their impact on programs, plans or the current environment.
   
• Define and evaluate alternative uses of resources, viable options/approaches and anticipated costs and benefits, consequences and outcomes using present and projected information.
   
• Develop recommended course of action for public and private decisions in formal plans and policies including policy statements, budget allocations, regulations and/or legislation to affect and facilitate change and reach objectives.
   
• Formulate plans and policies to meet the social, economic, and physical needs of communities.
   
• Develop, promote and market strategies for the implementation of plans, policies and programs.
   
• Build consensus with community leaders, customers, advocates, and other affected parties via negotiations, mediation and facilitation.
   
• Involve and educate special interest groups, customers, and public officials via variety of forums, e.g., seminars, workshops, conferences, newsletters, assessments, and analytical reports. 
   
• Coordinate planning activities and policies across state, regional, county and local levels; integrate with other entities outside the state.
   
• Provide technical assistance, training and education for understanding and managing change.
   
• Design and manage the planning process.
   
• Systematically evaluate the impact of plan implementation and incorporate findings with the ongoing planning process.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Chief of Planning
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas: 

1. Three years experience in professional planning program administration such as overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of professional planning programs and services; planning and establishing short and long range program goals and objectives. Providing advice to other agency organizational units through consultation.
2. Six months experience in public policy administration which includes overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of public policies.
3. Six months experience in operations management which includes planning, directing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating operations typically through subordinate supervisors.
4. Six months experience in writing and defending proposed legislation and regulations.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.

All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  TDD users may request an auxiliary aid or service by calling (800) 232-5470 or by visiting delawarerelay.com.  You may also call (302) 739-5458 or email DHR_ADAConcerns@delaware.gov for additional applicant services support.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.