Job Description For Jefferson County
Agricultural Coordinator

General Statement of Duties

The Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator assists in the stabilization, growth and promotion of the agricultural industry of Jefferson County. The Coordinator serves as a resource to help develop financial and marketing programs and acts as a spokesperson for agriculture. The community may utilize the Coordinator as a person to help find solutions to agricultural needs and concerns.

Distinguishing Features of the Position

The Agricultural Coordinator is responsible for working with individuals and/or entities interested in establishing new ag. Enterprises or improving the viability of existing operations in Jefferson County. The Coordinator will aid in assembling financial packages and plans available to help finance agricultural interests. This person will assist in identifying ag. Needs and developing coordinated solutions. Better marketing programs for products and opportunities will be created. The person in this position will work with existing agencies and organizations to coordinate efforts helping agriculture in Jefferson County grow stronger and more prominent.

Typical Duties Include but are not limited to:

Identifying Agricultural Needs and Developing Solutions

· Prepare, implement and update strategic plans for agricultural economic development.

· Facilitate the development of solutions to the needs and concerns of agriculture including the shortage of trained, skilled labor and profitable markets for ag. products.

· Assist in the creation of an agricultural local development corporation.

· Work with public and private sector interests to provide coordination of resources for the ag. industry.

· Maintain a complete knowledge and understanding of the interrelationships of resources available for agriculture.

· Help develop linkages with other nonagricultural industries.

· Work with natural resources agencies to provide for an assessment of natural resources in Jefferson County.

Agricultural Financing

· Developing financial packages to help new agricultural ventures establish in Jefferson County including the development of feasibility studies and business plans.

· Attracting new investments in agriculture including agribusiness, production agriculture, and agri-tourism.

· Providing assistance to the ag. industry with endeavors to diversify.

· Explore, evaluate and implement creative and innovative methods to maintain existing and new ag. enterprises to help increase the value of the industry measured in total annual sales and increased retained earnings.

· Encouraging and helping ag. entrepreneurs take advantage of funding resources available.

Agricultural Marketing

· Identifying, developing and implementing promotion and marketing programs of ag. products and opportunities, and the importance of the ag. industry in Jefferson County.

· Explore and utilize leads and opportunities in marketing and funding agriculture in Jefferson County.

· Promote better brand recognition of Jefferson County agricultural products.

Education and Public Relations

· Facilitate the development and implementation of programs training students in agricultural industries
and careers.

· Assume role as a spokesperson for agriculture.

· Serve as ombudsman for the local ag. industry.

· Support and serve as a resource to the County Ag. Farmland Protection Board.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

The candidate should have knowledge of northeastern and eastern agriculture along with a background in economics and finance. Grantsmanship, fund-raising, public speaking, and oral and written communication skills as well as proven leadership should be demonstrable. Person must have computer and Internet skills and have e-commerce knowledge. Candidate must be sensitive to political environment. The person must be a self-starter, energetic, and a visionary. It is paramount that the candidate be a team player and responsive to the ag. industry. The person must have a cheerful, friendly, empathetic but assertive, professional, business oriented personality.

Minimum Qualifications

Desired qualifications include a Bachelor of Science degree in ag. economics, business management, marketing, natural resources, or other agriculture or management field with five years of progressively, responsible public or private section experience in the agricultural or natural resources industry.

A Masters Degree in the above named areas with three years
of progressively responsible experience.

An equivalent combination of training and experience
as identified above.

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