Organic Center Of Excellence Program Manager (Administrative Officer 2)

THE POSITION

Are you someone who is dedicated, diligent, and eager to be part of a team that appreciates your efforts? The Department of Agriculture is currently looking for an Organic Center of Excellence Program Manager (Administrative Officer 2) to take charge of the Organic Center of Excellence. You will play a crucial role in driving Pennsylvania's organic agriculture sector forward. Do not miss out on this thrilling opportunity to apply your expertise, knowledge, and abilities to make a difference! Apply now and take the next step in your career journey.

Individuals with the following experience are encouraged to apply:

• Advanced understanding of organic agriculture within the food system in Pennsylvania.

• Experience in strategic planning.

• Solid communication and presentation skills.

• Experience working with various stakeholder groups.

• Experience managing multiple concurrent or consecutive projects including grant funded projects.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

In this role, you will spearhead the Organic Center of Excellence, focusing on enhancing Pennsylvania's influence, development, and leadership in organic agriculture. Your responsibilities will encompass the creation and execution of strategic plans for the Center, which involves monitoring data, evaluating results, and providing recommendations for initiatives and programs that align with the Center's objectives, in collaboration with the advisory board, departmental leaders, and stakeholders. You will manage the Organic Advisory Board, overseeing its administration, meeting logistics, agendas, and outcomes. Additionally, you will oversee financial and technical assistance programs aimed at supporting organic agricultural entrepreneurs in accessing various business support services, including business planning, financial literacy, marketing strategies, farm transition planning, consulting, and other resources. You will also cultivate relationships and manage contracts with service providers to ensure timely service delivery, accurate invoicing, and payments, while offering feedback to optimize return on investment and impact. Furthermore, you will administer the Organic Cost Share Reimbursement program in compliance with USDA regulations.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment

• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.

• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.

• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as an Administrative Officer 1. or

• Three years of experience in progressively responsible and varied office management or staff work, including experience in personnel management, budgeting, or procurement; and a bachelor's degree; or

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience transitioning either a farm or manufacturing/processing facility to organic.

• Demonstrated history of leadership ability.

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Five or more years of experience in the organic agriculture industry.

• Two or more years of experience working with boards or commissions.

• Two or more years of experience working within, or developing a strategic plan.

• Two or more years of experience leading startups.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Administrative Officer 1 for one full year or more?

• Yes

• No

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

03

How many years of full-time experience do you possess in varied office management or staff work in a public or private organization, including experience in personnel management, budgeting, or procurement?

• 3 years or more

• 2 but less than 3 years

• 1 but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• None

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

05

What level of college coursework have you completed in business administration, public administration, human resources, strategic leadership, or other related areas?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

• Master's degree or higher

• Bachelor's degree

• Some coursework

• None

06

Additional Requirement: Do you have experience transitioning either a farm or manufacturing/processing facility to organic?

• Yes

• No

07

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

08

Additional Requirement: Have you demostrated history of leadership ability?

• Yes

• No

09

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

10

Preferred Criteria: Do you have five or more years of experience in the organic agriculture industry?

• Yes

• No

11

Preferred Criteria: Do you have two or more years of experience working with boards or commissions?

• Yes

• No

12

Preferred Criteria: Do you have two or more years of experience working within, or developing a strategic plan?

• Yes

• No

13

Preferred Criteria: Do you have two or more years of experience leading startups?

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov