Oregon Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for an Operations and Policy Analyst 3, with the possibility of under filing the position as an Operations and Policy Analyst 2 to join our Market Access and Certification Program Area.

This is a full-time, permanent, classified position located in Portland, Oregon.  This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

This position exists to support the agency’s interrelated threefold mission: to provide agricultural market development, to protect agricultural natural resources, and to provide consumer protection and food safety.

The Agricultural Development and Marketing program works to promote, develop and expand markets for Oregon agricultural products.  Its objective is to provide favorable opportunities for Oregon agribusiness to connect with buyers and other industry connections to further economic growth in the agricultural sector.  The program also identifies trade barriers and market access issues which may have an adverse affect on the trade or potential for trade of Oregon’s agricultural products, works to expand existing agricultural businesses or recruit new business to the state; and liaisons with the states 23 commodity commissions charged with research, promotion and education for their specific commodity.

This position is located in the Agricultural Development & Marketing program.  The Specialty Crop grant program serves the agency’s mission in providing resources through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program authorized in the Farm Bill.

The Specialty Crop Grant Program administers approximately $1.7 million dollars of federal funds annually.  The program works with and helps provide resources for Oregon’s specialty crop producers and agricultural organizations, including specialty crop commodity commissions, trade organizations and producer groups.  Specialty crops are defined as commonly recognized fruits and vegetables, herbs, and horticultural crops representing a significant portion of Oregon’s agricultural production.
 
The Specialty Crop Grant Coordinator is responsible for comprehensively planning, managing and developing the program including but not limited to outreach, grant writing, financial administration, subgrant program guidelines and rules compliant with USDA grant regulations, and reports on compliance of subgrantees; as well as assisting in increasing sales of Oregon agricultural products in domestic and international markets.

Duties include:

Program Coordination:
Serves as the agency’s program coordinator and primary liaison with Oregon specialty crop producers and organizations, and USDA regarding its Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
 
Specific duties include:

• Coordinates and manages the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) activities to ensure compliance of program and projects as stipulated within United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements and regulations, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) policies and procedures. Provides technical assistance related to the priorities outlined in the program.
• Conducts programmatic and financial site visits with grant recipients to monitor records for compliance and provide counsel for enhanced performance.
• Monitors and reports on grant outcomes and accomplishments to ensure optimal project impact. Provides analytical research to improve project performance and increase growth in program priority areas. Develop and maintain project-tracking database.
• Manages and provides training opportunities for budget development and tracking for grant recipients to ensure that expenditures are within guidelines specified meet USDA SCBGP and ODA policies and procedures.
• Develop and conduct outreach and training based on program priority areas for applicants interested in the program regarding the criteria for development and implementation of effective grant projects.
• Coordinate with representatives of Oregon’s specialty crop industries to enhance the development of meaningful, coordinated, productive projects that yield a measurable marginal return to the bottom line of Oregon agriculture.
• Liaison with the Advisory Board to develop program priorities and policies, share successes and lesson’s learned, identify industry trends, communicate and align with Agency mission and goals.
• Liaison the USDA-AMS SCBGP to develop the annual State Plan which creates the cooperative agreement. Submit required updates and annual performance reports. Acts as liaison between USDA between grant recipient throughout the duration of the projects.

Operational Research and Evaluation

• Evaluate programs, services, systems and program effectiveness through comprehensive operational research. Develop new information about subject under study; establish criteria to identify and measure program effectiveness; develop methods to improve operations or develop new approaches to program evaluation that serve as precedents for others. Develop processes for systematic organizational improvement. Design and oversee the collection of data for organizational surveys; analyze data, evaluate findings and recommend policy and operational changes.
• Collaborate with information system staff to automate business processes, including customer relations management and performance management data. Coordinate transition from old to new database systems.
• Guide managers in methods of formulating performance measures and evaluating data.  Assist with staff training and implementation of performance data tracking mechanisms.

Other duties – At the request, and at the direction of the Marketing Director or other executive team managers, performs other duties related to the support of Oregon agriculture and food processing.  Works with others in the Agricultural Development and Marketing Program in the development and implementation of activities to reach the goals of the Program and the Department.

Working Conditions: May be required to conduct public meetings dealing with controversial issues. Hours may be irregular and include evening meetings and long hours required on occasion to meet specific program managerial needs.  May require extensive overnight domestic or international travel.  At times may be called upon to deal with hostile or agitated constituent groups or individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Operations and Policy Analyst 3 ($4765-$6977 a month)

A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or Agriculture; AND four years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
OR;
Any combination of experience and education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

NOTE: To receive credit for all required/related coursework, a photocopy of transcripts is required.

Under fill option 
Operations and Policy Analyst 2 ($4144-$6050 a month)

NOTE: To receive credit for all required/related coursework, a photocopy of transcripts is required.

Requested Skills
Must be a self-starter, highly adept at problem solving, both for clients as well as for self in completing own areas of responsibility.  Must be a team player, able to build collaborative relationships.  Must possess a high degree of business sense and savvy, with ability to appreciate situations from the client’s perspective.  Must have excellent analytical abilities, excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.  Must be detail oriented with particular ability to articulate project outcomes and compliance against set criteria through oral and written communication.  Must be able take policy direction and implement the program in the agency’s interest to ensure program compliance with USDA regulations and ODA policies and procedures.

To apply for this position, follow the “Apply” link above to complete the Oregon Employment Application online. All application materials must be received by the closing date/time posted.

Resumes will not replace the completed “Work Experience” section in your online application. Be sure to indicate your experience based on a 40-hour workweek.  (Example:  20 hours a week for one year would equate to six-months full time work experience.)  You may be disqualified if your work experience does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions.

Employment with the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture may be contingent on the outcome of a DMV check.  Driving records will be reviewed for finalists applying for positions which require driving as an essential function.  By submitting your application, you authorize the Department to conduct a DMV check.

If you need assistance with adding attachments to your profile or to a specific job posting, please go to Adding and Removing Attachments to a Profile and Job Posting for further instructions. This quick help guide can also be found on the State Jobs Page by clicking in the Applicant E-Recruit FAQs then click on Applicant Profile Maintenance.

Only complete applications will be considered. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach any required documents. Responses to the “Supplemental Questions” will be reviewed to determine if you will be invited for an interview for the position. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for higher education coursework (official or unofficial at the time of application).

If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veteran’s preference points will be added to your score.  To receive veteran’s preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:

• A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; OR a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension for the five (5) point preference.
• A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; OR a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension; AND a copy of your veteran’s disability letter from the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.

For more information on veteran’s preference points visit www.oregon.gov and select veteran’s preference.

The state of Oregon requires all applications have a valid email address. Communication to applicants from Oregon Department of Agriculture may occur via email, letter, or telephone.

If you do not currently have an email address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant E-Recruit FAQs web page, question #14, to view several internet providers where you can get a free email account. The state of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.

If you have a disability or otherwise require an application in an alternate format in order to complete the process, you may contact:

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Human Resources Office
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone (503) 986-4584

Oregon Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.