Field Seed Program Manager

Summary of Work:

The FS Program Manager (Regulatory) is responsible for the organization and management of all operational aspects of the NDSSD Regulatory program of work. Primary functions include administration of labeling and fee permit systems; directing and managing full-time and temporary staff activity associated with all regulatory inspection processes; investigation of potential violations and recommendation of penalties; ensuring ND Regulatory program maintains state and national standards of quality.

Duties:

• Effectively plan, organize, manage and allocate resources for seed regulatory activities involving full-time and temporary staff.
• Organize and evaluate staff activity regarding inspection and audit of seed conditioning and retailing operations, while accurately administering seed licensing and permitting systems.
• Cooperate with the USDA-AMS Federal Seed Regulatory & Testing Branch and other state regulatory agencies to administer rules related to interstate shipments/truth in labeling laws.
• Develop relationships with regulatory entities and associations including USDA-AMS, USDA-AHPHIS, Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO) and Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA).
• Develop and implement educational programs relating to seed production, labeling, state seed laws, Federal Seed Act, Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and other regulatory issues.
• Serve in a lead role regarding seed regulatory, seed law and seed intellectual property issues. Represent the NDSSD at public meetings and functions, at state and national level relating to these core areas of responsibility.
• Coordinate random sampling of seed lots placed for sale in retail locations, monitor seed sales and offerings of seed for sale; investigate questionable or illegal activities; recommend agency action and penalties regarding violations.
• Organize and ensure laboratory testing of regulatory samples leading to successful enforcement of labeling standards, or documentation and determination of violations.
• Provide information or interpretation to media, legislature, government agencies, industry groups or general public on issues involving laws, rules, regulations, policies or enforcement actions. Maintain lists of PVP varieties and educate public on NDSSD role in variety protection.
• Conduct field inspections as needed for regulatory investigations and in support of field seed certification programs.
• Serve in secondary/backup role in management of seed certification programming in collaboration with Certification Manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in plant sciences field and three year's work experience in seed regulatory, seed marketing, seed certification or seed production that included supervisory work experience.
• Associate degree in an agricultural related field and five years of work experience as described above may substitute for the Bachelor's degree requirement.
• Work experience may substitute the degree requirement on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in agricultural, plant sciences or business related field.
• Technical knowledge and work experience in seed certification and/or seed quality assurance or commodity identity preservation programs.
• Technical knowledge and work experience in state and federal seed laws, seed labeling requirements and/or Plant Variety Protection/plant patents.
• Technical knowledge and work experience in seed conditioning processes including equipment, seed conditioning plant operations and/or seed retailing processes.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

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Application Procedures

Applicants must complete the online application for employment and upload a resume, cover letter, and college transcripts (official or unofficial). All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorships will not be considered.

For more information about the position, contact: Ken Bertsch, at 701.231.5400. For assistance in the application or interview process, contact Jill Mugaas, HR Business Partner, at 701.328.4743. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 1-800-366-6888.

Comments:

The hiring authority will consider a hybrid work environment that includes Fargo office and remote locations. The ideal candidate is capable of forward-facing, customer-engaged work and willing to spend time in the field as needed in exercising enforcement and educational duties with seed industry partners.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.