Job Title: Assistant Director of Regulatory Programs
Division: Regulatory and Environmental Affairs
Headquarters: Guthrie Agriculture Center Charleston, WV
FLSA Status: Exempt

Nature of Work:
This position is responsible for the planning, oversight and management of the regulatory activities of the Regulatory and Environmental Affairs division which includes the establishment of laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to these functions of the division.

Examples of Work:

• Report directly to the Deputy Director of Regulatory Operations.
• Directly supervise the consultants for the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS), and Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), Dairy Program Manager, Hemp Program Coordinator, Farmers Market Program Coordinator, and Produce Safety Programs Manager.
• Serve as liaison to other state/federal agencies and affiliated associations.
• Participate in reconciliation of all complaints which can be settled at the division level.
• Assist with drafting and/or amending laws, rules, and regulations regarding division programs and submit them for legislative approval.
• Responsible for composing section reports and developing budgets.
• Justify any submissions regarding policy change regarding legislative approval.
• Meet with FDA, USDA, or other federal agencies along with any WV state or local agencies when necessary.
• Coordinate, review, correct, and record reports from the FDA, USDA, and WVDHHR after inspections are completed.
• Coordinate and update inspection territories for all regulatory officers in respective programs.
• Prepare summaries of cases that require review by the deputy director/division and director/Commissioner
• Help initiate, implement, and review the progress of programs, surveys, and research projects.
• Participate in conferences, conventions, and community programs designed to coordinate the agency’s goals and activities with those of other organizations.
• Prepare annual reports, work plans, and other documents pertaining to program management for submission.
• Review weekly time and attendance reports, leave requests, expense accounts, and activity reports.
• Assign scheduling and complete performance evaluations of unit staff.
• Input and track all samples into computer system.
• Write and design inspection and sample forms to be used by regulatory officers.
• Serve on hiring committees for the unit.
• Coordinate with the other assistant directors on the implementation and coordination of inspections, sampling, and other actives that involves regulatory officers and other departmental programs.
• Coordinate with the Director, Deputy Director and Communications division to send out information to the public on recalls in the state.
• Assist with public education and relations regarding regulated product issues.
• Identify and justify resources to carry out proactive programs within the Department.
• Coordinate with division director, deputy director, other assistant directors, consultants or other staff on the implementation of the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS).
• Serve as main point of contact for the USAPLANTS and USAFOODS online computer systems along with coordinating, corresponding, and maintaining all updates, problems, and contact between the WVDA and database computer company.
• Coordinate and prepare grant proposals and reports
• Coordinate and assist with the development of seminars, tabletops, and exercises for the WVDA Homeland Security Task Force in conjunction with the FDA, USDA, WVDA Animal Health, WVDHHR BHP, WV Emergency Response, and County Emergency Response Teams.
• Attend in-state and national meetings in relation to programs as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Bend, squat, stand, sit, climb, kneel, reach above shoulder level, push/pull and/or walk for extended period of time. Long durations operating office equipment such as personal computer, copier, fax machine, etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations pertinent to the work of the agency.
• Extensive knowledge in business matters and public administration.
• Expert ability to deal effectively with complaints, producers, community groups, and the general public.
• Expert ability to speak before an audience effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Expert ability to plan, review, and implement staff activities.
• Seasoned ability to train and supervise professional and clerical staff in the work of the agency.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with a degree in the area of assignment.
Substitution: 10 years full-time paid employment in the area of assignment may be substituted for 4-year college degree.
Experience: Three (3) years of successful full-time paid employment in a responsible professional capacity in the area of assignment.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License.
• 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.