Baltimore County Government

Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development has an immediate opening for the Senior Manager of Agriculture responsible for managing and supervising the Office of Agriculture unit for Baltimore County Government. The position will plan, develop, implement and administer agriculture programs aimed at expanding the County’s farming and agricultural industry. 

Regular Schedule: 34 Hours Per Week, plus County benefits. This work schedule may include night and weekend hours.

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Department of Economic Development.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

Interested applicants must attach a resume and letter of interest to their application.

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Examples of Duties

Job Purpose

Under the guidance of the department’s Director, the Senior Manager of Agriculture has the overall responsibility for the Office of Agriculture within the Department of Economic and Workforce Development. This position includes the development and implementation of progressive strategies that benefit Baltimore County’s farming and agriculture industry; as well as management of the division’s staff and finances.

In addition, this role generates and expands partnerships with key agricultural stakeholders to support and expand agricultural activities in Baltimore County. The focus of the position will be on creating an Office of Agriculture which services the full range of needs of the agriculture industry in Baltimore County.

Essential Job Duties

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform:

• Seve as the lead for the Office of Agriculture unit within the Department of Economic and Workforce Development
• Serve in a key role moving the department forward in planning, strategic development, and innovation and the formation of a value-added agriculture resource
• Coordinate and communicate with the other operational units: Fiscal, Workforce, and Tourism as well as department leadership
• Establish goals, projects, and activities to accomplish the department’s strategies
• Represent the Department and County leadership at meetings and events impacting the County’s agricultural sector
• Serve as subject matter expert on local/state economic incentives, agriculture resources, and other programs
• Work with County leadership to establish goals, projects, and activities to elevate the programs and services of the Office of Agriculture
• Provide high level program coordination including allocation of County resources for all federal (USDA/NRCS/FSA), state (MDA/UMD/UMD Extension) and local agricultural stakeholders co-located at the Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park to enable an efficient one stop shop facility for the farm community and public
• Represent the Office of Agriculture in studies, reviews and conversations regarding the County’s agricultural sector initiated by other Baltimore County offices, such as: Department of Planning, Sustainability Office, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the completion of tasks related to incorporating agricultural services into the Department’s strategic and operations plans
• Provide direction and guidance for the Agricultural Services Advisory Board 
• Partner with the Departments Economic Development, Workforce Development, and Tourism teams to advance the agriculture industry within the county
• Presenting to internal and external stakeholders 
• Provide advice and counsel to the Director of the Department as requested
• Hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff
• Managing projects within division and working on projects across the department and the county
• Serving on the Department’s Senior Management Team

Examples of Other Duties 

Performs other related duties as required.

NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed. 

Qualifications

Preferred Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, Public Administration, Marketing, Public Policy, or Business. 

Master’s Degree preferred

Preferred Experience 

Minimum of eight years of experience in the Agricultural Services sector. 

Experience in management and supervision required. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Subject matter expert in agriculture
• Strong project management skills, including ability to coordinate across business units, County and State departments and other organizations
• Understanding of the local, State, Federal and non-governmental organizations working on agricultural issues in Maryland and Baltimore County
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, coordinate and delegate projects as needed
• Operational skills with Microsoft Word, Excel and other Windows-based software systems, and client management systems
• Ability to plan, manage and coordinate activities and work with local agricultural producers, stakeholders, government agencies to promote and advance the County’s agricultural economy
• Proven interpersonal skills, ability to engage with government personnel, business leaders, elected officials and various stakeholder groups
• Managing in a fast-paced yet hybrid office environment
• Grant administration, management, and oversight, including experience managing federal and/or state funding sources
• Flexibility with the ability to work varying schedules, including some evenings and in a hybrid office environment
• Making presentations to staff, government officials, elected and appointed officials, business leaders and to the general public
• Able to produce meaningful results in a complex environment
• Work independently and across organizational units toward key objectives

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Please attach a copy of your resume to your application.

Conditions of Employment

Employees hired after July 1, 2022 are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees’ Retirement System, with very limited exceptions. 

This work schedule may include night and weekend hours. 

Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete an employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education, and fingerprinting checks.

Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace

All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace

Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Employee Assistance Program

Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance

In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance

In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week. 

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement

Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave

Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.

Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.

Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.

Bereavement Leave

Jury Leave

Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union

Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit

Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Deferred Compensation

Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.

Disclaimer

This is only a summary of benefits and policies in Baltimore County. Any benefit or policy may be changed at any time at the discretion of the administration. This summary does not constitute an express or implied contract, nor does it constitute a guarantee that your employment relationship will continue for any specified period of time or end only under certain conditions.

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