Assistant Agricultural Commissioner (#EA2200)
$63.78-$77.52 Hourly / $11,055.09-$13,437.53 Monthly / $132,661.11-$161,250.41 Yearly

Under administrative direction, assists in the organization, operation and administration of the San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office by performing responsible administrative and managerial work; and does related or other work as required.

The Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer is a single position, at-will class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system.  The incumbent reports to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer and serves as the assistant department head, acting in the absence of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer as required.  The incumbent performs senior-level managerial duties in order to assist with the administration of department budgets, functions, and activities, while helping to ensure their compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as the policies established by the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, the County Administrator, and the Board of Supervisors.  The incumbent is expected to model a strong work ethic and leadership skills, including accountability for oneself and others.

This specification is a general guideline for the class.  The statements below are not restrictive and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in the specification.

• Assists in planning, organizing and directing the activities, functions, budgets, and programs within the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office; develops and recommends operational objectives; directs operations to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce administrative and service provision costs, and ensure effective utilization of available resources; exercise good judgment and makes sound business decisions in managing assigned activities; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment of the organizational mission, vision and values.   
• Recommends, implements and revises work systems and procedures; recommends standards of performance; advises department staff on more difficult or complex problems; may assist staff with, or participate in, the most difficult activities such as criminal prosecutions and hearings.
• Assists with the development and implementation of quality control and quality improvement programs and initiatives; analyzes and monitors performance indicators and ensures that assigned operations meet established standards; recommends process improvements to ensure operational effectiveness and superior customer service.
• Directs the activities of assigned staff through subordinate managers and supervisors; selects staff and evaluates performance; reviews and takes action on disciplinary matters; directs staff training and development. 
• Assists with the establishment of departmental policies and procedures; ensures that assigned operations are in compliance with established policies, procedures, rules and regulations; analyzes and interprets existing and proposed federal, state, and local legislation, policies, procedures and other directives to determine impact on operations;  
• Directs or assists with the preparation, presentation, and administration of departmental budgets; analyzes fiscal information and recommends cost-efficiency options; develops and recommends budgetary controls. 
• Designs grant projects, writes grant proposals, and implements and monitors grant projects. 
• Assists with the effective development and utilization of technology to improve departmental systems and processes. 
• Analyzes and summarizes complex narrative information and statistical data; prepares or supervises the preparation of reports, records, and correspondence for department and/or county management, as well as for federal, state, or other external agencies; prepares Board of Supervisors’ reports and related documents; makes presentations to groups and individuals, including boards and commissions. 
• Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships and may represent the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office to federal, state, and county officials, other counties, community groups, and the public; meets and confers with various agents to negotiate effective solutions to difficult problems; coordinates the provision of departmental services as assigned. 
• Attends meetings and conferences; participates on committees and task forces pertaining to issues germane to the department; acts in the absence of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in agriculture or a related biological science.

Experience:  Five years of management experience in certificated agricultural inspection, weights and measures inspection, or related public sector enforcement work at a level equivalent to Deputy Agricultural Commissioner or Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures in San Joaquin County.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Special Requirements:  At the time of application, must possess valid licenses as both a Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner and a Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, AND must possess either a valid license as a County Agricultural Commissioner or a County Sealer of Weights and Measures issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  Within 36 months of appointment, must possess valid licenses as both a County Agricultural Commissioner and a County Sealer of Weights and Measures, and must maintain such licenses thereafter.

Principles and effective practices of public administration, including organization, fiscal management, personnel management, and staff supervision; principles, practices, procedures, organization, and operation of a county agricultural inspection and weights and measures department; budget preparation and implementation; principles and techniques of entomology, plant pathology and horticulture; principles and techniques of weights and measures technology; applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to agriculture and weights and measures; resources available for the investigation, determination, and resolution of agricultural problems; short- and long-range planning methods; project management; customer service; modern office automation technology and software relevant to department operations.

Assist with planning, assigning and directing the staff and activities of complex agricultural and weights and measures programs in a cost-effective manner while ensuring excellent customer service; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management of diverse staff teams, including subordinate managers and supervisors; work collaboratively with staff, other departments and pertinent stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret and apply complex rules and regulations pertaining to assigned operations; analyze and implement program mandates and work within federal, state, or other types of regulatory systems; formulate and present short- and long-range plans; recommend the development and utilization of effective automated systems; prepare and administer annual budgets and financial and statistical records; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, including the general public, department staff, advocacy groups, and other departments and agencies both internal and external to San Joaquin County government.

Mobility—operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time; driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting—frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; read computer screens; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity—reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; writing; Hearing/Talking—frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological—frequent decision-making, concentration, and public contact; public speaking; deal with emergency situations; occasional exposure to trauma, grief, death; heights; occasional exposure to hazardous materials; Special Requirements—may require working weekends and nights; working alone; Environmental—working in varied weather conditions; poor ventilation.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.