Agriculture Marketing and Inspection Representative 1(Hybrid)

Introduction

The State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAG) is accepting applications for the position of Agriculture Marketing and Inspection Representative 1 (AMIR1) to support its Dairy Safety program and potentially other programs in the future. This position will be responsible for program outreach and inspections of agricultural businesses for compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

ABOUT US

The mission of the Department of Agriculture 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 ROLE
The candidate selected for this position will maintain duties, which include but are not limited to:

• Inspections of dairy farms;
• Inspections of milk processing plants;
• Testing and validating pasteurizers;
• Sampling milk/milk products;
• Evaluating milk haulers/samplers;
• Interpreting and communicating state and federal laws and regulations;
• Compiling necessary reports and ledgers for state and federal stakeholders;
• Attending outreach events to promote programs;
• Aiding UCONN extension in outreach and training.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time
• First shift (7:30 AM - 4:00 PM)
• Location: Hartford, CT
• Hybrid position (telework and office/on-site)

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Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
• 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:

• 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 Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov.

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PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Agriculture, this class isaccountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in thedevelopment and inspection of agricultural businesses, production andprocessing plants and retail facilities for compliance with local, state andfederal laws and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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;
  • wholesale and retail marketing practices;
  • business development and promotional techniques and strategies;
  • relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations;
  • state and federal legislative process;
  • plant and animal disease control methods and procedures;
  • inspection and investigation methods and techniques;
• Skills
  • 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 orbusinesses.

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.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience inspecting agricultural operations such as dairy farms, livestock or poultry farms, processing facilities, feed mills, or seed packaging facilities for compliance with regulatory requirements
• Experience with applying state and federal regulations related to food safety, animal health, agricultural products, or environmental compliance
• Experience collecting and handling samples for laboratory testing and recording results in accordance with regulatory protocols
• Experience writing, reviewing and communicating official documentation with stakeholders
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications and cloud-based platforms for report writing, data entry, and information sharing

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• 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 liftheavy objects; may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions; may beexposed to some risk of injury from animals.

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. 5-196of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group ofpositions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a singletitle for administrative purposes. Assuch, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/orresponsibility.