State Farm Program Coordinator (#MDDZ60)

• Arranges employment of up to 700 migrant and seasonal farmworker's per year.
• Works with up to 30 crews per year.

A class incumbent performs with general direction from an administrative superior and is responsible for administering the state's farm-labor program.  Other positions reporting in at this level include Employment and Training Program Specialists who provide technical assistance to various Employment and Training contracts/programs, Employment and Training Youth Program Coordinator and Employment and Training Area Operations Managers. The incumbent oversees the outreach function during the growing seasons.The incumbent has frequent contact with growers and their attorneys, crew leaders, migrant and seasonal farmworker's, advocacy and lobbying groups representing both growers and workers, church groups, government agencies and representatives, other migrant and seasonal farmworker providers, social agencies, and other state counterparts. The purpose of these contacts is to coordinate efforts in support of a comprehensive statewide labor program, and to advise the parties involved of their rights and responsibilities regarding the terms and conditions of employment. Significant aspects of this work are to act as the division's farm-labor expert and to provide information and direction to state labor officials.

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.

• Administers the Farm Labor Clearance System; coordinates labor availability from supply states; assures compliance with applicable law; maintains contact with growers to solidify or adjust the dates that work crews are needed; coordinates with state public health agency on worker housing issues; writes clearance order contracts; arranges for transportation, and prepares crew manifest records.
   
• Oversees statewide farm programs to keep agricultural employers, farm labor contractors, and migrant and seasonal farmworker's advised of their rights and responsibilities under state and federal laws.
   
• Establishes state performance goals and acts as technical advisor to the division/department regarding the farm program.
   
• Develops and maintains crew tracking system for the migration of out-of-state migrant and seasonal farmworker's to ensure that growers receive updated information on the status of their crews and, to determine if crews will arrive as scheduled or if alternative plans must be made.
   
• Oversees crew rotation (for underemployed migrant and seasonal farmworker's) for growers with additional labor needs such as harvesting perishable crops that are maturing early.
   
• Conducts random field checks to ensure that working conditions, housing and pay comply with applicable laws and interstate clearance order stipulations.
   
• Conducts wage surveys to define migrant and seasonal farmworkers prevailing wage rate:  collect data on crop activities, rates of pay, total interstate and intrastate workers, units of production, hours worked.
   
• Speaks at or participates in meetings, conferences, workshops to provide information on state's farm program; acts as liaison with special interest groups.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of applicable state and federal labor laws, regulations and guidelines governing Migrant and Seasonal farmworkers.
• Knowledge of state housing, health, and safety codes.
• Knowledge of farm labor supply and demand trends, crop growing practices, schedules, conditions.
• Knowledge of special needs and problems of growers and farm labor.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of program administration, planning, organizing and problem solving.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employers, workers and others.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions.
• Ability to analyze data and make sound recommendations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for State Farm Program Coordinator
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Six months experience in conducting investigations which includes conducting interviews to obtain confidential information, gathering evidence and documenting findings.
2. Six months experience in resolving labor law or employment discrimination complaints.
3. Six months experience in interpreting labor or employment laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
4. Six months experience in narrative report writing.