Agriculture Emergency Program Specialist

Job Code: 32000925
Salary Grade: NC15

Class Concept

Employees in this class work to protect human, animal and plant health, preserve consumer confidence, direct response and recovery activities for agricultural related emergencies, events and catastrophes in an assigned region of the state. Agricultural related emergencies include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, domestic or foreign animal diseases, bioterrorism or biological/chemical/radiological impacts to agricultural infrastructure or related food supply. Employees conduct threat and hazard assessments, develop and maintain emergency response plans, and perform consultative and coordinative services to aid local, state, federal and non-governmental organizations in emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities as it pertains to agriculture. Employees assess damages from such emergencies, determine logistical support needs and coordinate response efforts at a local level or serve in a leadership role as part of an Incident Management Team on a regional scale. Serving as a member of an Incident Management Team includes duties such as; having decision-making authority, direct supervision of multiple personnel within the Agency and other stakeholders such as local and county government officials, and responsibility for assigned resources and/or technical oversight of emergency operations during an event.

Employees in this class are expected to coordinate and participate in drills/exercises to enhance the emergency response capability to ensure that during a real event applicable Agency policies, state and federal laws are followed. Employees also conduct inspections of contact animal exhibits at agriculturally sanctioned fairs within assigned area to ensure compliance with Aedin's Law (G.S. 106.520.3A).

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations or guidelines pertaining to agricultural commodities, emergency planning and response, and public health and general knowledge of the services provided by governmental and non-governmental agencies applicable to emergency planning and response activities.
• Working knowledge of the Incident Command System, and related incident management principles and procedures.
• Basic knowledge of epidemiologic principles, investigations, and surveillance to include State and Federal regulations pertaining to the control and eradication of animal and plant diseases
• Intermediate organizational skills related to group activities / efforts, ability to coordinate disaster scene response and recovery activities, ability to work independently or with a large group in a team setting and advanced ability to communicate to diverse groups in a variety of settings.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret applicable laws, administrative codes, regulations, and policies
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental groups or partners.
• Ability to participate in the development of policies and procedures that support a statewide agricultural emergency response program.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time in environmental extremes and potentially hazardous surroundings.
• Ability to prepare and conduct training programs or technical presentations and deliver to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to prepare and conduct training programs or technical presentations and deliver to a variety of audiences.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in agriculture, agri-business, science, biology, safety, emergency management or related field, and two years of experience in emergency management response or animal health related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.