Organics Agriculture Program Manager

Idaho State Department of Agriculture has a position open in their Agricultural Inspections division that will be responsible for organizing and planning the enforcement of Federal and State laws and regulations governing the Organic, Hop, and Potato Brand programs.

The Organics Food Program protects consumes and supports the development of the organics food industry by ensuring the integrity of organic food products through establishing organic standards and certifying organic producers, processors and handlers. The program also provides technical information about organic food production and assists in the development of markets for the organic food industry.

Position Overview:

To plan, implement, evaluate, coordinate and supervise the statewide Organic Certification program, Hop Inspection program, retail potato inspection program and Potato Brand program, and consult with Department staff, other governmental entities and the agricultural industry and perform related duties.

Responsibilities:

• Determines compliance with the Idaho Laws, Rules, and National Organic Program and provides organic certification to farms, ranches, handlers, and processing operations.
• Reviews organic food products for compliance in labeling formulation and advertising.
• Represents the Department at organic food association meetings and workshops.
• Performs follow-up reviews of non-compliance, investigates consumer complaints and appears as a witness for legal and administrative hearings.
• Assigns inspectors and coordinates field inspections.
• Reviews inspection reports filed by inspection staff.
• Facilitate Organic Food Advisory Council meetings and generates minutes of the meetings.
• Explains certification procedures to organic growers.
• Manages the compilation of year-end organic statistical reports.
• Supervises the collection of hop inspection data for submission to the federal government as called for in our cooperative Agreement.
• Acts as the contact person for the hop inspection service in dealing with Federal Grain Inspection Service, (FGIS).
• Hires and provides training of samplers and laboratory staff for the hop season.  (Must meet licensing requirements of FGIS).
• Answers concerns from organic growers, handlers, consumers and local state and federal agencies on labeling, allowable inputs and inspection protocols.
• Provides information concerning cultural practices and materials acceptable for organic production and marketing.
• Enforce standards for the production, processing and handling of organic foods. This would include amending rules, coordination of rule making, and then the communication and education of affected parties.
• Work with legislators and legislative staff on legislation pertaining to organic food.
• Conduct educational and outreach activities to support the development of a sustainable organics system. Give presentations on the Organic Food Program to the news media, agricultural industry, consumers, and other interested parties.
• Conduct inspector annual training.

Qualifications: 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Some knowledge of management practices.
• Good knowledge of organic and sustainable farming methods including knowledge of agricultural chemicals and food technology.
• Experience in working as a liaison to local and state government.

Specialty Qualification:

• Ideal candidate would have experience as an inspector with certification from a national recognized inspector training association.

To Apply:

Go to the Idaho State website and click on State Jobs, Current Openings, and Agriculture. Click on the Announcement and then click on the Apply Online button to the left and follow the instructions provided to complete the Application Information and Exam for this position.

When completing your online application information, please select:

• Department of Agriculture under "Agencies"
• Full-time employment under "Job Type/Shift"
• Boise under "Cities"

When updating your online application information, you must complete all items in the Application Checklist. This includes: Personal Information, Education, Work History, Cities, Agencies, Job type. Without this information, your name cannot be referred to the hiring agency.