JOB
AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Opportunity
The Farm & Food Systems Development Division is dedicated to strengthening the food systems and economic viability of Washington agriculture. The programs in this division support consumers, farmers, and food businesses through service, assistance, and advocacy advancing the vision that agriculture thrives while contributing to the health of the people and the economy of Washington.
The International Marketing Program was established to help Washington businesses expand their food and agricultural exports around the world. The Program provides a variety of export development and assistance services to businesses including education, connections to foreign buyers, and help with navigating regulations. The Program also conducts marketing initiatives that promote Washington agriculture in foreign markets and continually works to address trade barriers that prevent or limit foreign market access for Washington products.
The International Marketing Program Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of a cohesive trade development strategy for the benefit of Washington’s food and agriculture industry, aligning it with the state's overall international trade efforts in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, the Department of Commerce, other WSDA programs, commodity commissions, and the larger food and agricultural community. The position influences and oversees all aspects of WSDA's International Marketing Program, including strategic planning, budget and legislative issues, staff supervision and development, contract and grant management, and stakeholder relations. The position also serves as the Director’s advisor on agricultural trade policy and works closely with industry stakeholders to ensure a strong understanding of their needs and priorities. The position directly supports the agency’s mission of advocacy, ensuring that agriculture remains viable in Washington State.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent WMS Band 3 position within the Farm & Food Systems Development Division. This position is not represented.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $83,988 - $149,724 annually.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
What to Expect
Some of the various responsibilities within this role:
- Strategic Planning and Implementation: Develop and implement a strategic plan to increase exports of Washington State's agricultural and food products in collaboration with business and industry stakeholders.
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Program Operations: Administer overall program operations and ensures plan, program, activities, and policies are effectively carried out. Establish priorities for staff and contractors and ensure program activities and events are run efficiently and effectively, including but not limited to outbound and inbound trade missions, trade shows, international trade representative visits, agricultural promotions, incoming government delegations, outreach, and export education.
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Budget Management: Prepare and oversee the program's budget, allocate resources, and seek additional funding to address program needs.
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Management of International Trade Representatives: Responsible for procuring and managing contracted international trade representatives to help Washington agricultural companies facilitate export, conduct matchmaking and promotional activities, and help resolve trade barrier issues. Collect stakeholder feedback on needs and markets of interest, coordinate and manage the Request for Proposals (RFP) process in alignment with state procurement rules and ensure that hired trade representatives fulfill contract obligations.
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Grant Procurement and Management: Seek and obtain outside financial resources and grants, including USDA Market Access Program (MAP), Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) and other grants that are pertinent to the program's goals. Administers grants in accordance with grant requirements.
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Collaboration: Work on trade issues and agricultural marketing activities in collaboration with state, federal, and foreign agencies, industry associations, and agricultural stakeholders. Key partners include the Governor's Office, Department of Commerce, commodity commissions, agricultural organizations, the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), trade and economic development organizations, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS).
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Oversee Trade Policy and Market Access issues: Responsible for tracking, understanding, and reporting-on market access and trade policy issues that affect Washington's agricultural industry. Serve as the Director’s advisor on international trade policy issues and assist in the agency's communication efforts as they relate to foreign trade. Work closely with the Governor’s Director of International Affairs & Protocol and track trade policy issues for state trade missions and incoming government delegations. Track trade barriers and work with other states and USDA to address trade issues.
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Legislative and Policy Lead for International Trade and Marketing: Responsible for tracking and reporting on legislative issues pertinent to international trade and marketing. Prepare presentations, reports and other materials as needed on legislative and policy issues. Appear before legislative committees or other policy committees as needed.
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Export Statistics: Responsible for the ongoing collection, analysis, and reporting of Washington’s food and agriculture export statistics including determining the collection methodology and overseeing annual publication.
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WUSATA Representative: Serve as the Washington State Marketing Official (SMO) for the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and serve on committees that determine policies for the implementation of marketing activities.
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Government Trade Missions: Organizes and implements Government Trade Missions, including working with the Governor's Office, Lieutenant Governor’s Office, Department of Commerce, Association of Washington Business, and others as appropriate to ascertain purpose and goal of the mission; working with WSDA's overseas representatives, U.S. embassies, foreign government officials and industry groups to develop and implement an agenda to promote Washington agriculture and address trade barriers; and prepare information and talking points for the WSDA Director and others as-needed.
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External Outreach and Communication: Serve as the spokesperson and liaison for agricultural international trade development for the state of Washington. Work to cultivate external relationships with other agencies, legislators, stakeholders, USDA, other states, WUSATA, and other partners to optimize support for international trade opportunities.
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Supervises and Develops Staff: Oversee and effectively distribute program work; coach and mentor staff through regular feedback, instruction, and encouragement. Assure appropriate and optimum use of the program's resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities. Address and resolve conflicts. Evaluate staff performance and addresses concerns. Support effective communication throughout the program.
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Maintain the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Employee Benefits
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A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
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WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
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12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
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All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
How to apply
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
- Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email
[email protected].
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
WSDA uses a I-9 form(Download PDF reader) to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
Equity at WSDA
The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.
We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at
[email protected].
Prior to a new appointment with the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
People with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
