Description

Working Title: Plant Pest Regulatory Administrator
Job Class: State Program Administrator Senior
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Job ID: 69149
• Location: St. Paul
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open to bidders and to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted : 09/011/2023
• Closing Date : 09/25/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Division/Unit : Plant Protection Division / Plant Pest Regulatory and Mitigation unit
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00am - 4:30
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $25.25 - $37.02 / hourly; $52,722 - $77,297 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
• FLSA Status : Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible : Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

This position will manage the analysis, development, implementation and evaluation of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Plant Protection Division (PPD) Nursery Licensing and Tree Care Registry programs and provide lead administrative program support to the Plant Pest Regulatory Unit and Spongy Moth Survey Unit (Nursery & Plant Protection Laws).

This position will manage a critical statewide program that determines and assures uniformity in licensing and registration programs in the nursery and tree care industry. This position will represent MDA with internal and external stakeholders, communicating with the public, licensing personnel and other division staff. It will enforce policy, develop standard operating procedures and provide strategic planning. This position will utilize expertise of the MN Nursery Law and Plant Protection Law and other appropriate rules to achieve licensing and registration compliance goals.

This position is located in St. Paul and may have the ability to telework.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Two (2) years experience developing and/or enhancing data management systems.

Advanced computer skills in data management, spreadsheets, data processing, e-mail  and web applications. This includes creating tables, reports, queries, and forms as necessary to provided needed information.

Excellent communication skills and writing ability to convey complex licensing requirements to clientele, agency personnel and the general public. Good public relation skills are a must.

Self-motivated and the ability to work independently. Must have excellent organizational skills and abilities to handle heavy seasonal workflow. 

Broad knowledge of administrative process and program activities to act as subject matter expert on licensing and registration programming issues.

Strong attention to detail.

The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

More than two years of data management experience.

Experience using a licensing information system to gather data, input into a system, compile data reports for analysis and summarizing findings.

Experience using GIS, various database and information system applications.

Experience approving and preparing invoices.

General knowledge of biological and scientific technical terminology related to plants and plant pests.

B.S in environmental policy, business administration, agricultural business, environmental science, environmental education, project management or a closely related agricultural or environmental field.

Familiarity and knowledge of the laws, regulations and rules impacting the unit/division functions.

General knowledge of the Minnesota Data Privacy Act sufficient to maintain confidentiality of private information according to law, rules, policy and procedure.

Ability to plan, organize projects, establish goals, timetables and evaluate the results.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check.  It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency.  The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Kimberly Thielen Cremers at kimberly.tcremers@state.mn.us

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Becky Hierlinger at becky.hierlinger@state.mn.us.

About Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day.

Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.

Our three general areas of responsibility include:

• Protecting our food supply;
• Protecting our natural resources; and,
• Cultivating our agricultural economy.

Why Work for Us

The Plant Pest Regulatory Administrator is a unique and dynamic position that works alongside the Plant Protection Division Licensing Coordinator to service the licensing requirements for the green industry across Minnesota.  Work independently and directly with tree care and nursery professionals but with a team of MDA state plant health regulatory inspectors to assure for the health and vigor of nursery stock grown and sold in Minnesota is certified and inspected. Assist in the development of a new licensing and inspection software platform. Have the opportunity to bring new ideas to creation of a data management system.  Enjoy the flexibility to telework from a home office

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Two (2) years experience developing and/or enhancing data management systems.

Advanced computer skills in data management, spreadsheets, data processing, e-mail  and web applications. This includes creating tables, reports, queries, and forms as necessary to provided needed information.

Excellent communication skills and writing ability to convey complex licensing requirements to clientele, agency personnel and the general public. Good public relation skills are a must.

Self-motivated and the ability to work independently. Must have excellent organizational skills and abilities to handle heavy seasonal workflow. 

Broad knowledge of administrative process and program activities to act as subject matter expert on licensing and registration programming issues.

Strong attention to detail.

The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

More than two years of data management experience.

Experience using a licensing information system to gather data, input into a system, compile data reports for analysis and summarizing findings.

Experience using GIS, various database and information system applications.

Experience using geographical information systems, such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Story Maps, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Pro or Survey123.

Experience approving and preparing invoices.

General knowledge of biological and scientific technical terminology related to plants and plant pests.

B.S in environmental policy, business administration, agricultural business, environmental science, environmental education, project management or a closely related agricultural or environmental field.

Familiarity and knowledge of the laws, regulations and rules impacting the unit/division functions.

General knowledge of the Minnesota Data Privacy Act sufficient to maintain confidentiality of private information according to law, rules, policy and procedure.

Ability to plan, organize projects, establish goals, timetables and evaluate the results.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check.  It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency.  The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.