The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is looking to fill four (4) project Commerce Specialist 3positions within our Food Safety and Consumer Services.  These position work out of an office in the Seattle areaand help support the Small Farm Direct Marketing Program and the Farm to School Program.

These are project positions ranging from eight (8) months to two (2) years, depending on funding sources.  Each may be extended based on funding.

About the Program:

The Small Farm Direct Marketing Program and the Farm to School Program work together as a team to offer education, outreach, technical assistance, and other programs to increase market opportunities for Washington agricultural products in domestic markets and to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the state’s food supply.  The team serves as a central point of information, resources, and tools to assist Washington’s agricultural stakeholders and to share best practices and highlight successful projects across the state to support the development and success of local supply chains.

These WSDA programs help farms and food businesses access markets that match their scale and type of production and assist them to diversify their markets as they become ready.  The team supports development of emerging markets by educating buyers and consumers, and by designing and sharing education and marketing materials to help consumers recognize the value of Washington-grown foods.  They work closely with buyers to increase their understanding of seasonality, marketing, and purchasing considerations for buying and selling locally-grown foods.

The team supports agencies and institutions to develop purchasing, food service, menu planning, and communication policies and procedures that support local purchases.  Our education and outreach model is built on peer-led, on-site workshops; clear and detailed publications; and approachability and accessibility for offering knowledgeable and accurate technical assistance to individuals, businesses, and communicates.  WSDA’s market development work ties to community goals for economic development through partnerships in urban and rural communities to increase markets and sales for locally-grown food in Washington.

What you will be doing:

As part of the team, you will work together to deliver the program’s objectives and will be individually tasked with specific projects from the areas of focus outlined below.

• Small Farms and Direct Marketing
  • Diverse agriculture in Washington state and understanding the marketplace for local farm products, including regional and national trends in market demand for local farm products, including consumer trends related to fresh, local, and otherwise differentiated farm product.
  • Benefits, challenges, and needs of specific direct market channels.
  • Familiarity with small farm production and post harvest methods for a wide variety of products (specialty crops, meat, poultry, eggs, fish and seafood, value added products, small scale grains, beans, etc.)
  • Understanding of market requirements and government standards, licensing, permits, and other necessary information to effectively and legally conduct agricultural business in Washington State.

• Local Food Infrastructure and Supply Chains
  • Operating models and best practices for aggregation, distribution, and processing of products to serve larger markets with source-identified products, including food hubs, and farmer cooperatives.
  • Different financial and ownership models that may be applied in aggregation, distribution, and processing facility development.
  • Detailed knowledge of wholesale standards and best practices for packing, storage, and distribution.

• Current farm and processing/packing facility produce safety standards
  • Federal and private food safety audit certification programs and options for operations of various types (farm, distributor/wholesaler, processor)
  • Current knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting on-farm food safety and produce handling practices.
  • In-depth understanding of USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) audit certification requirements and process.
  • Strategies and resources to assist small and mid-sized produce growers to meet food safety standards.

• Farm to School and Institutional Markets
  • State and federal procurement rules and procedures for school districts under USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
  • USDA Child Nutrition meal pattern and recipe standards.
  • Institutional meal service models and relevant strategies to increase use of locally-grown foods.
  • Understanding of institutional market requirements and necessary certifications, insurance, packaging, and distribution systems needed by schools, preschools, state agencies, employee cafeterias, group homes, etc.
  • Awareness and ability to decipher policy memos and legislative language in order to write accurate detailed guidance and educate farms, distributors, institutional buyers, and other stakeholders about the necessary standards, rules, documentation, and practices.

These positions may be hired as Commerce Specialist 2 level (Range 52, $3,655.00 – $4,793.00 ) with an in-training plan to develop professional skills in some of the higher level position functions.  After successfully completing the in-training plan the position will progress to a Commerce Specialist 3 (Range 58, $4,237.00 – $5,557.00 per month).  Qualified candidates may start at the higher level as a Commerce Specialist 3.

• A Bachelor degree

AND

• At least three (3) years experience in agricultural direct and/or institutional marketing; farm business planning; food processing or distribution; or other relevant field.

• Knowledge and experience developing and conducting training and technical assistance for farmers, processors, or buyers in direct markets and/or institutional markets and/or in relation to regulatory systems and certifications.

• Familiarity with Washington agriculture and markets and related regulatory requirements.  Specifically, this position required up-to-date knowledge about regulations relevant to small farms and food businesses, from licensing and permits to on-farm food safety practices, voluntary certifications, and mandatory federal food safety standards.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, including experience coordinating efforts of multiple partners and managing projects with overlapping timeliness.

• Experience with public speaking, proven judgment and skills in representing an agency or organization in complex and evolving topics that may be contentious and/or require detailed, accurate, explanation.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience and high-level skills in policy analysis, regulatory language review, and the ability to convey complex concepts, policies, and procedures in clear, concise, and easy-to-understand written guidance.

Experience and/or detailed knowledge in one or more of the following four focus areas:

• Small farms and direct marketing
• Local food infrastructure and supply chain development
• Current farm and processing/packing facility produce safety standards
• Farm to school and institutional markets, including procurement and food service operations

Experience with data analysis and reporting, as well as basic graphic design and publication layout.

Spanish language skills are a plus.