Dairy Consultant

Who We Are: The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, well-qualified, dedicated staff.

What We’re Looking For: DATCP’s Division of Agricultural Development – is recruiting for a Dairy Consultant (Economic Development Consultant) with the Bureau of International Agribusiness.

Where We Are Located: DATCP is located in the Prairie Oaks State Office Building situated on Madison's southeast side. We are only minutes away from the Beltline Highway, Interstate 90 and Highway 51 for quick access to local restaurants, retail and service locations.

Field Headquarters/Telecommuting Option: Depending on the selected applicant’s location, this position may be eligible for a home headquarters or the ability to telecommute up to 6 days per 2-week pay period. An approved telecommuting agreement is required before an employee may telecommute. Approval of the employee’s telecommuting agreement and work schedule will vary based on the operational needs of the Division. All DATCP employees who telecommute are required to live in Wisconsin.

Qualifying candidates are not required to live in a county headquarter location. However, reimbursement for commuting to or from the employee’s assigned headquarters is not provided (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, lodging, etc.). Routine travel within an assigned territory and throughout the state for assigned work is required.

When applying please select all counties in which you are willing to be headquartered:

Brown, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Eau Claire, Iowa, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Outagamie, Richland, and Sauk.

This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes at least 3.5 weeks of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan!

By working for Wisconsin State Government, you may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Please click the link for details.

Click here to see what working for the State of Wisconsin is all about!

This posting may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

This position will provide services to assist Wisconsin dairy food and agricultural businesses to foster new investment in production, processing and the development of technologies that add value to the dairy industry. The position works to build Wisconsin's agriculture economy by providing industry representatives with business development assistance, research, technical seminars, one-on-one business development consultation, and other methods. This position will review business plans, monitor market trends, help businesses understand regulations, connect businesses to resources that can answer technical questions, and more.

Numerous contacts with state agencies and government officials, dairy industry representatives, agribusiness, associations, processors, farmers, and service providers is coordinated by this role. Specific responsibilities include the coordination and implementation of programs, funding, and communications related to the dairy sector, and for the identification of gaps and opportunities in economic development programs and services to help Wisconsin become more competitive domestically and internationally. This position also provides consulting services to Wisconsin dairy processors, farmers and marketers to expand both domestic and international business opportunities for Wisconsin products.

Economic Development Consultant Full Position Description

The classification of this position is Economic Development Consultant which is in schedule-range 81-03. The starting pay for this position is $36.00 to $38.00 per hour. Pay on appointment may vary according to the applicable pay transaction provisions of the compensation plan. Pay for current State employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan and Wisconsin Administrative Code. This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. A 12-month probationary period is required.

DATCP does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the selected applicant being able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.

The State of Wisconsin continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols for COVID. Please visit Division of Personnel Management Coronavirus - COVID-19 (wi.gov) for the most up-to-date information. Guidance may be subject to change.

A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.

Possession of a valid driver's license, or the ability to provide one’s own transportation for work purposes, is required.

Frequent travel, primarily through the State, is required for up to 50% of this position’s duties.

Ability to occasionally lift 20-35lbs, is required.

Minimally qualified candidates will have each of the following:

• Experience as a dairy producer or processor, or providing consultation/other services to dairy producers and processors
• Managing or evaluating business plans, business financials or strategic development plans
• Experience with grant programs (request for proposal, applications completion, application review, development of grant projects, performance measures and reporting)
• Developing or presenting training on dairy-related technical topics to dairy related businesses or leadership (ability to translate complex/technical information to less informed populations)
• Education or training on food safety requirements for dairy production and processing
• Education and/or work experience that is equivalent to a Master’s degree (agriculture related field of study/work)

In addition, highly qualified candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Economic development at the municipal, county, regional or state level
• Experience with hosting international delegations of dairy producers, processors and government officials
• Interpreting and applying dairy export requirements (foreign/domestic investments, assessing target markets, understanding regulatory requirements, and/or export development resources)
• Experience with dairy policy analysis at the state or federal level (understanding of legislation impacting producers/processors, ability to explain legislation impacts to the industry/stakeholders)
• Experience directing an agricultural business’s financial reporting (profit/loss, lender consultation, preparing reports for board of directors/shareholders)
• *Demonstrate knowledge and competency of consumer dairy industry trends and issues (*evaluated in subsequent steps of the selection process)

It is critically important your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated criteria. The job experts who evaluate your application materials must be able to make an accurate assessment regarding your qualifications. Applicants who do not meet at least the minimum qualifications or who do not clearly identify minimum qualifications will be ineligible to continue in the selection process.

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as really.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: #15073 to complete your application for this posting.

DATCP is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. For complete information on veterans hiring programs that may benefit you, please visit the Employment page on WDVA's website.

To be considered for this position, you will need to create an account in Wisc.jobs (if you don’t already have one) and apply online via the “Apply for Job” button listed on the top right of the announcement page. You will be required to upload a current resume and a letter of qualifications that clearly describes your qualifications and experience as they relate to the qualifications listed in this job posting.

Your resume and letter of qualifications will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process where vacancies exist, starting with those candidates who are deemed most qualified.

Please address questions regarding the application process to Jensen Peterson at jensen.peterson@wisconsin.gov.

The deadline to apply for this position is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024.