West Virginia Department of Agriculture 
                                                                        Position Description 
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Job Title:  Program Assistant – Veterans & Heroes to Agriculture Program
Division:  Agriculture Business Development
Headquarters:   Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV 
Reports To:  Program Manager 
Supervisor Responsibility:  None
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Nature of Work:
Under general supervision of the Program Manager, this position coordinates, implements, monitors and manages all project deliverables, administrative tasks, communications, and reporting related to the delivery of projects and activities for the purposes of carrying out the Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture program mission.

Examples of Work:

• Assists in providing veterans with membership information and facilitating program enrollment.
• Assists in aiding the veterans’ community and program members by directing them to the appropriate resources.
• Assists with the development and delivery of relevant and timely information to membership.
• Assists in performing project specific scheduling and tracking time, expenses and project progress.
• Assists in developing methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
• Creates project tracking spreadsheets for ease of data collection.
• Assists in planning work priorities to accommodate shifts in program priorities.
• Works in coordination with partners and WVDA staff to ensure program/project deliverables.
• Demonstrates professionalism in all communications with veterans, their families, minorities, displaced workers or any other demographic we serve.
• Tracks performance of grant and project activities and compiles reports.
• Develop relationships with project participants, contractors, subject matter experts and groups to facilitate communications and assist with their activities.
• Answers calls, routes to the appropriate person, takes messages, greets in-person inquiries and answers questions about the program as necessary.
• Assists in maintaining an inventory of all supplies for projects; ensures that any items that are required to be recorded in OASIS is properly tagged.
• Protects the confidentiality of all personal information including military discharge records and medical history.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Standing, sitting, working on a computer, driving, walking, lifting up to 50lbs. May be required to work hours outside the normal work schedule, requirements and locations, including possible overnight travel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong customer service orientation.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; demonstrates ability to use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in verbal or written communications.
• Ability to develop/compile and communicate information that is timely, accurate, clear and concise.
• Knowledge of standard office equipment and practices and procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively or independently as needed.
• Ability to adapt quickly to change; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternative solutions.
• Thorough knowledge of security requirements related to confidentiality of personal information.
• Proficient computer skills including website construction and maintenance, word processing, publication creation, spreadsheets, databases, and email.
• Proficient in the use of various communications technologies to arrange meetings via Skype, Teleconference or other media.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture related field, administration, business, project management, or a related field.

Experience: Demonstrated experience in either administration, project management or agriculture/business administration. Some knowledge gained through education and/or practical application/experience in a medical field or the health care industry preferred. Also, Veteran status preferred.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.

                             
                                       This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner and designees.
                                                        West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.