Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under administrative direction of the Marketing Services Division Director and in cooperation with the Assistant Director, the Special Assistant (SA) has oversight of the complex work performed in the QAP, managing and directing staff to perform the critical and sensitive activities to complete the monthly quota payout; planning and evaluating program operations, monitoring; organizing and directing the work of analytical research and administrative staff; providing guidance to staff; and is the liaison to a variety of stakeholders and industry groups. The incumbent is responsible for developing, administering and evaluating the QAP policy, activities, guidelines and procedures.

The SA represents the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture at Producer Review Board (PRB) meetings, which ultimately define and develop policy involving the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) in California. The SA also administers the MPSTF, evaluating claims, monitoring fund balances, and taking administrative actions to issue payments to milk producers, as appropriate, conducting industry audits, evaluating the eligibility of future handler transactions to be covered by the Trust Fund, and making recommendations to the Secretariat and the MPSTF Board for replenishment of the fund.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The work environment is typically an air-conditioned office environment with occasional outdoor trips/visits to dairies. The employee works at a desk or. workstation with a telephone, computer, and printer.

On occasion, the employee is required to travel, both by air and by car. The employee attends meetings at a variety of venues. The employee may tour dairy farms and dairy processing facilities which involves walking across wet, slippery floors, climbing ladders, and being exposed to the noise of loud machinery.

A valid CA Driver's License is required.

This position is eligible for telework in accordance with Department policy.

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests.

The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within thirty (30) days of appointment, on an annual basis, and upon vacating the position. The incumbent must complete an Ethics orientation training course within six months of assuming a Form 700 covered position, and every two (2) years thereafter, by December 31 of each numbered year. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist

• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-430738

Position #(s):

018-504-6969-001

Working Title:

Special Assistant

Classification:

SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

$9,234.00 - $10,488.00

of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Quota Administration Program (QAP) was established by Order of the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture after a series of meetings involving dairy producers, to maintain a stand-alone quota program within the California Federal Milk Marketing Order for California. The QAP administers an assessment on California dairy producers to fund the redistribution of the quota assessment revenues to owners of quota.

The quota value redistributed each month is approximately $12-13 million. Assessments are collected and distributed for each dairy producer by milk handlers on behalf of dairy producers. The QAP is also responsible for enforcing dairy industry compliance with the producer security assurance provisions of Chapters 1, 2, 2.5 and 3, Part 3, Division 21 of the Food and Agricultural Code (Code) and initiates enforcement action when violations of the Code occur.

Special Requirements

This position requires a valid California Driver's License.

The applicant must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) that responds to each of the four (4) questions below. The SOQ must be clearly labeled and no more than two (2) typed pages, with a 1" margin using Arial 12-point font.

Responses to the questions should be numbered as below. Applications submitted without the SOQ may not be considered. A cover letter and/or resume do not take the place of the SOQ.

1.Describe your experience in planning and directing the activities of a medium sized team (10-15 persons). Please include information on your philosophy to encourage a team environment and any examples of situations in which you have been involved in mediating conflict between any of the following: staff, industry members, industry members and CDFA staff.

2.Describe your experience developing and implementing policies. Please include information on the challenges encountered and the mechanisms used to overcome those challenges. Please indicate how the members inside and outside your organization reacted to the new policies and how that shaped your philosophy about program management and policy development and implementation.

3.Describe your experience working in situations where there are multiple compelling demands for your time on complex projects and sensitive issues where there was a very limited timeframe to make a decision. Include a description of the actions you took, your specific role, the steps you took to mitigate the situation.

4.Describe your experience and ability to communicate effectively, including developing and delivering clear and persuasive written materials and oral presentations to Executive Management, State Agencies, Board of Directors, and other key entities.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-430738

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Human Resources Branch JC-430738

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA 95814

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-430738

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.

• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

• Statement of Qualifications -

A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the "Special Requirements" section.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Possess and demonstrate strong leadership skills, evaluate, and proceed on difficult, sensitive decisions through structured processes.

• Have a strong understanding of program management concepts, practices, methods and principles.

• Experience mentoring and developing staff and have the ability to inspire high quality work among a team.

• Ability to communicate respectfully and with sensitivity

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:

Beth Jensen

(916) 900-5011

beth.jensen@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Office of Civil Rights

(916) 654-1005

Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 10/2023 version.

Additional Information:

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Alternate Classifications and Training and Development assignments may be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.