Director of Farm Viability and Natural Resource Division (Conservation Program Manager)

Are you searching for fulfilling employment opportunities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? The Department of Agriculture is currently seeking a skilled and experienced individual to join Pennsylvania's State Conservation Commission as a valuable leader. If you possess a passion for the environment and have proven leadership abilities, we strongly encourage you to submit your application today!

This position is responsible for the technical and administrative oversight of soil health, climate, energy, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture programs and grants. This position provides administrative and management oversight for the development of technical standards and policies, as well as other activities related to training, education, and professional certification programs. This position provides management oversight of tax credits, financial assistance programs, farmer certifications, and lending programs related to conservation and ag best management practices. This position is the Commission liaison for the Chesapeake Bay program and attends meetings with Bay leadership and stakeholder groups in collaboration with DEP and PDA executive offices. This position is responsible for representing the Commission at stakeholder group meetings focused on climate, soil health, energy, and sustainability initiatives. This position supports conservation technical and financial assistance needs of conventional, organic, and urban farming operations.

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 30-minute lunch.
• This position may work occasional evenings and weekends
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six years of professional soil and water conservation program or natural science program experience including or supplemented by one year of supervisory experience and a bachelor's degree in natural sciences or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes or is supplemented by one year of supervisory experience.

• This particular position also requires a valid PA Class C Driver's License.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

• 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 will eliminate you from consideration for this position.

• 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.

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

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.