Dairy Field Program Manager -- Food & Dairy Industry Manager 15

About the Department

Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference! About this Position: The purpose of this position is to function as the Dairy Field Program Manager, responsible for the daily management of activities occurring within the Dairy Safety Program of the bureau’s Dairy, Feed and Produce Division (DFP). The division assures a safe and wholesome dairy, produce, and feed supply by administering regulatory programs designed to protect the health and safety of Michigan citizens, livestock, and pets along with maintaining and growing the agricultural industry. This manager position assures statewide uniformity, accountability and implementation of internal dairy program operations, monitoring performance of staff through establishment of metrics focused on quality, quantity and timeliness of work, develops program policy and provides guidance, and leads strategic planning efforts related to identifying and addressing internal and external program challenges and opportunities. The ideal candidate will possess and be able to demonstrate key position-critical skills and abilities, including: subject matter expertise; knowledge of related laws, policy and procedures; leadership qualities, skills and abilities; the ability to serve as a liaison with industry partners; the ability to exercise professional judgment; the ability to effective lead, supervise and train staff; enhanced listening and communication skills; the ability to utilize and implement sound decision-making skills; the ability to handle conflict-type situations effectively; and, a professional demeanor and composure in all situations. The successful candidate for this position will have broad technical knowledge of the MDARD Dairy Program; be highly engaged in all aspects of the of the program(s); possess leadership and management skills and qualities (developed or emerging); hold a high attention to detail and timelines; be able to meet workload demands; and, be able to effectively communicate information and build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. **This position has a home workstation and requires travel to the office and other sites for required meetings or field work with staff as needed. This position requires the incumbent to live within Michigan. Position Description About MDARD: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four Bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public's food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the$125.8billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures. MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. The State of Michigan offers a competitive benefits package for all career employees that include medical, dental and vision coverage, along with paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, retirement and much more. Click the following link to learn more: State of Michigan – Employee Benefits

Position Duties

 Education Possession of a bachelor's degree in animal science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field including 10 semester (15 term) credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses. 

Food And Dairy Industry Manager 15

Six years of professional food and dairy industry experience equivalent to a Food and/or Dairy Industry Field Scientist, including three years equivalent to a Food and/or Dairy Industry Field Scientist 12, two years equivalent to a Food and/or Dairy Industry Manager 13 or Food and/or Dairy Industry Specialist 13; or, one year equivalent to a Food and Dairy Industry Manager 14 or Food and/or Dairy Industry Specialist 14.

Other Qualifications

Please attach a cover letter, resume and official college transcripts to your application. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal. Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further. Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results. View the entire job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/F/FoodAndDairyIndustryManager.pdf